Jon Jacobs praised the never-say-die attitude of his team after a late strike from Daniel Garfinkle took them a point clear at the top of the MGBSFL Premier Division following a hard-fought win over Oakwood A.
On a windswept Fairlop pitch, the game was more about belief and battle rather than technical skills.
After a beautifully observed minutes silence for the terror attack in Paris, the game was attritional from the off, the ball was out of play and in the air for much of the game.
There were a number of half chances in the first half for Redbridge with James Berkley and Sam Sollosi both denied by smart keeping from Jonny Blain - including a Save of the Week contender. He got up from original save and threw himself across his line to somehow put the follow up round the post. Daniel Brown also missed a gilt-edged chance when the ball landed at his feet two yards from goal.
Half-time came and the important thing for Redbridge was to go in 0-0 and come out fighting having restricted Oakwood.
Out both teams came for the second half and the wind was still playing havoc with any through balls or dead-ball situations.
Oakwood finally made the breakthrough when a mistake out on the Redbridge left saw the ball ricochet back to Guy Helman - who according to Ric Blank was "head and shoulders above every other player and a joy to watch in such tough conditions" - drove it home at the second attempt.
The key moment came when Redbridge keeper Brad Grant made two outstanding saves, the second of which was a wonderful stop to deny the impressive Sam Cantor who spun on the half volley and his left foot shot was arrowing for the top corner. It was an unbelievable save which he consolidated by saving Kyle Bentwood's point-blank header from the resulting corner.
Grant's fantastic efforts were rewarded with an equaliser which came from the Redbridge right and the wind certainly played its part. Oakwood had been defending set-pieces brilliantly but when they had the chance to clear one they didn't and Cole used the conditions well to bend the ball away from the despairing dive of Blain.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Oakwood team and Redbridge were now in the ascendancy With five minutes to, a superb through ball by Cole found last season’s top-scorer, Garfinkle with a 40-yard dash towards goal. He took aim from 15 yards out and smashed it home to the keeper's right. Cue, massive celebrations from players and the bench to celebrate a massive goal and what turned out to be a massive show of intent from Redbridge - a team who don’t know when they are beaten.
RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "A draw would have been a fair result on the day but am just delighted with the commitment and passion of my squad - they wear the Redbridge shirt with a lot of pride and the win was just rewards for keeping going."
Oakwood joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We were happy to get in at half-time and exchange words. The wind was having a huge impact making it difficult for both sets of players but because it was blowing into the far top corner it made it easier for us in the second half.
"We took control of the game and after Josh Rose had missed a really good chance, and 1-0 up with 10 to play, we had enough to see the game out.
"Second half we were the better side, we got the goal and with the wind playing such a huge factor there only looked one winner.
"A draw would have been fair but given we had the goal in such tough conditions we should have gone on to win.
"After their equaliser we were masters of our own downfall. We seemed to lose our heads and acted as if we were down with five to play as opposed to one all. Quick throws, free kicks, square balls across the middle of the park - we killed ourselves.
"It was cruel but we only had ourselves to blame. We had been the better side, with the better individuals, fully in control and we didn't even get a point. That's on us."
