Resilient Redbridge B close in on Division One title

Scrabble started off liked a team possessed and the game was only 20 seconds old when a looping cross from Rob Blackman was fumbled by Redbridge keeper Scott Shear and Elliot Espinoza was on the spot to tap in from close range.

Once the game settled down, RJC, who benefitted from the the gusting wind, were on top and were very unlucky not be level when Richie Caplin was played in, only to be denied by a brilliant save from returning Scrabble keeper Ben Law.

Redbridge's work-rate had increased and they drew level midway through the half when the midfield trio of Daniel Bean, Kane Hopps and Sam Rank won successive challenges and the ball was laid off to player-manager Sam Rank. He produced his usual loft-wedge through-ball to put captain Brad Gayer in and he finished fantastically from the left edge of the penalty area.

The visitors were now having the lionsshare of the play and had a goal "harshly" ruled out due to offside, when Kane Hopps came from behind Adam Goldman to tuck away his chance. This resulted in "a big reaction" from the Redbridge and "made them more determined to get the next goal". Boss Sam Rank commented: "At this level of football, you will have decisions that go your way and some that don't. We all can't have premier leagues refs and linesman."

Redbridge, however, forged ahead shortly after deservedly took the lead when they won possession in mdifield and Rank laid the ball of to Hopps who then unleashed a great strike effort from 35 yards into the roof of the net. (Great technique and skill, and of course Kane ask the ref for his opinion of this goal. If only Gary Neville was their was well!)

2-1 up at the break, Redbridge knew this was only half the job done,and with the wind in their favour in the second half, Scrabble would cause a lot of problems.

The second half belonged almost entirely to Scrabble who even with the wind behind them just could not break through a well drilled and organised Redbridge defence.

Dan Stock's looping shot went inches wide of the post.Josh Pugh's free kick rattled the Redbridge bar.Zak McLeod went close with a brilliant shot and Adam Waters corner was according to the Scrabble players over the line as the Redbridge keeper desperately palmed the ball away.

Espinoza saw his header fall just wide of the post and Blackman thought he'd won a deserved penalty when pushed over in the area with 10 minutes to play but the Scrabble players surrounded the ref who waved play on.

Scrabble continue to pummel Redbridge, hitting the bar from a free kick, but a combination of great defending from Sapler, Dan Andrews, Scott McKenzie , Adam Noble, Richie Caplin and Alex Chernoff kept RJC's lead intact.

Jordan Sapler, who was called up from C team, was absolutely immense. He won everything in the air and every tackle, and showed great composure at times. He also performed an heroic goalline clearance, when Shear dropped a corner behind him. From a club prospective, it was brilliant to see Jordan back, to a level he is more than capable of playing at.

RJC B had a couple of chances to kill the game off on the counter-attack, but once again good keeping from Law kept Scrabble in it.

The final few minutes was about game-management by the Redbridge to ensure the three points were brought back to Essex.

RJC manager Sam Rank told JC Sport: "The boys were brilliant today. They worked extremely hard to get back into the game after falling behind so early.

"We were unlucky not to be further in front at half-time, but the defending in the second half was outstanding.

"Special mention to Jordan Sapler and Dan Andrews who were Vertonghen and Alderweireld today. 

"This game was the first of three cup finals for RJC B objective to win the title. Two more victories in the next two coming weeks will bring the title to Essex.

"We're looking forward to return game next week against Scrabble, who are all top boys, even Rob Blackman!"

Scrabble manager Ray Abrahams told JC Sport: "My squad today were absolutely brilliant.The attitude and commitment was spot on and all the boys left nothing on the pitch and gave 100 per cent to try and win this game.

"We always knew it was going to be a battle out there as there was a lot at stake today in terms of the title and the promotion places.

"The prize of reaching the Premier Division for both teams is a great incentive after a long season for both clubs.

"The wind played a big part in the result today and at half-time with the prospect of the wind behind us in the second half we were confident that we would come back from 2-1 down.

"We had so many chances as we dominated the second half but the Redbridge boys defended very well to keep us out and we hit the bar full on and the post in quick succession in the second half.

"A superb free-kick from Josh Pugh hit the face of the bar as well and as Rob Blackman was clearly fouled as he went down in the area we thought we had been denied a nailed on penalty.

"My lads said that Adam Waters corner had crossed the line as well.Zak McLeod and Dan Stock as well as Elliot Espinoza also went very very close. On another day we would have perhaps had a bit of luck with those efforts but it was sadly just not our day.

"It was also good to see Ben Law back in goal today and a world-class save in the first half kept the score at 2-1 as he tipped a point blank shot over the bar.

"Unless there are some real unexpected results in the last few games I believe that Redbridge will now win the title as they have games in hand on us and Lions and we will be looking to win our last two games (one of which is an early chance to put things right when we go to Redbridge next week) and hope that two wins will be enough to secure the runners up place and the promotion that we are all chasing as a club.

"On the face of it today a draw would probably have been a fair result but to be honest we are disappointed not to have won this game and taken all three points."

SCRABBLE: Ben Law, Josh Bharier, Robert Blackman, Elliot Espinoza, Daniel Green, Adam Newman, Josh Pugh, Brandon Sassoon, Sam Stead, Zac Summerfield, Adam Waters. Subs: Zac Summerfield, Dan Stock

SCORER: Espinoza

REDBRIDGE: Scott Shear, Daniel Andrews, Daniel Bean, Richie Caplin, Brad Gayer, Adam Goldman, Kane Hopps, Scott McKenzie, Adam Noble, Sam Rank, Jordan Sapler. Subs: Alex Chernoff, David Fialka, Nate Kashket, Josh Orgel

SCORERS: Gayer, Hopps