Redbridge Jewish Care became the first team to beat leaders Alyth Belsize Yellow this season with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Under 12 Division.

Goals from Max Salador, Daniel Wexler and former Spurs trainee Joffey Bradley helped the East Londoners avenge an 8-1 defeat by Alyth earlier in the season.

In a fiery encounter played in chilly conditions, the game was only given the go ahead after a late pitch inspection. Redbridge began the brighter and could have gone ahead as early as the seventh minute when a Salador effort flew just wide.

Salador broke the deadlock five minutes later when he rifled into the top corner after Bradley had provided the through ball.

RJC doubled the lead minutes before the break after Wexler drove home clinically from the edge of the area.

Alyth refused to quit and grabbed a goal minutes after the interval as Jack Morgan cut in from the right flank and shot past the helpless Louie Chung.

Bradley restored RJC’s two-goal advantage with a superb 30-yard strike, which proved to be decisive. Zac Rose scored Alyth’s second but there was only to be one winner.

RJC manager Paul Silver said: “This was a solid team performance. We started the game with the intention of winning and it was no surprise that we were 2-0 up at half time.

“We didn’t allow them any time on the ball and each of my 13 players can hold their heads up high and look forward to climbing up the table. We hope to challenge Alyth and HMH right up to the end of the season.”

The win took Redbridge up to third in the table with four games in hand on their respective rivals.