Super-sub Ben Chernoff fired a late winner to steer Redbridge A past Premier Division rivals Lions A and into the third round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.
Redbridge started in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation and really planned to take the game to Lions but for the first 15 minutes, found themselves pinned back at Fairlop.
Redbridge gradually worked their way into the game, the intelligent probing of Adam Goldman on the right and Ryan Cole and the left finding space and protected by a solid defence, things looked good.
Just before half time, RJC talisman, Sam Sollosi turned his ankle after being fouled and had to go off. The reshuffle saw Danny Hakimi come on and sit as the defensive holding midfielder.
This seemed to give RJC a better shape and they deservedly took the lead when Dan Garfinkle latched on to a through ball before being upended by the keeper. Ben Sollosi stepped up and calmly rolled the ball into the goal.
The goal did not have the calming effect and Redbridge began to lose control and from a good cross on the right, Lions equalised with a glancing header from James Gold. It was anyone’s game with both managers out shouting each other in urging their team on.
With 15 minutes to go, Redbridge threw their final roll of the dice and replaced the debutant Goldstein with wide man, Ben Chernoff. With five minutes to the ball was in the Lions box and bouncing around until Chernoff took aim and with a little deflection, scored the winner.
RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "It was a very good contest between two teams who both wanted to play football."
