Redbridge tore straight into Tower Hamlets right from the first whistle, fell behind to a first half Hasan Mustafa effort – but ended up snatching victory a few seconds before the final one when Eljay Worrell fired home from close range, taking all the points only two minutes after Calvin Poku had brought the hosts level.
Poku fired Redbridge’s first effort over the bar early in the opening period and then tore up the Hamlets defence along with Lindisipho Mtyanda, both exchanging passes that created a shooting opportunity but the two forwards got in each other’s way and Poku’s shot ended up being blocked by his team mate. Brian Moses was also causing the Hamlets defence problems and he worked his way into the box in the 23rd minute but was halted by Charlie Clarke and then a minute later was upended by Jerome Anthony. Eljay Worrell took the resulting free kick that was well saved by Kieran Bennett. Another ball played into the box ended up with Worrell and Bennett colliding as they both went for the ball which resulted in the keeper needing treatment and Worrell receiving a yellow card.
Hamlets however dug in and started stemming the Motormen’s flow although Patrick Duggan did go close for Redbridge with a long range daisy cutter just on the half hour. The visitors then went up the other end and took the lead in the 34th minute when a sweeping ball from the left flank was slammed home from close range by Hasan Mustafa. Hamlets had to clear their lines on a couple of occasions after taking the lead but almost extended it on the stroke of half time when a superb Alhousman Ndure header forced Lewis Greene into pulling off an equally impressive piece of goalkeeping to tip away.
Redbridge opened the second half pressing for an equaliser and it was Brian Moses who almost provided it. The rangy forward latched onto a through ball and his low shot required a full-stretch save from Bennett to tip past the post. Tower Hamlets came out of their shell though and Wade Odedoyin was able to win a corner after chasing down a long ball that Greene had to deflect away for a corner. And Greene had to also get down low to stop a long range drive from Naamen Gordon.
The hosts continued passing the ball around looking to create openings but the Hamlet defence put their bodies on the line to keep the Motormen at bay and looked to catch their opponents on the counter. Wale Odeboyin was only inches too high with a looping header and then Chaka Barnett was able to use his pace to get himself into space but was only able to rifle off a weak shot that Greene saved easily.
With time ticking away Redbridge went all out to get back on terms and Worrell twisted and turned his way through the Hamlets defence before firing a shot that was only inches wide. Hamlets then rode their luck as Poku had one shot hit the post and then another powerful strike rattle the crossbar. Poku however made it third time lucky in the 88th minute when he drilled the equaliser past Bennett after being set up by Bradley Gates.
The Motormen then captured the points in the 90th minute when Leon Thomas delivered a cross from the right that Worrell rifled home from close range.
Redbride: Lewis Greene, Frankie Naidoo, Eljay Worrell, Remi Nelson, Liam Thomas, Jonathan Mbamarah, Patrick Duggan, Malaki Toussaint, Brian Moses, Calvin Poku, Lindisipho Mtyanda.
Scorers – Calvin Poku (88’), Eljay Worrell (90’)
Tower Hamlets: Kieran Bennett, Inesh Sumithran, John Watson, Naaman Gordon, Jerome Anthony, Charlie Clarke, Nathan Ackie (Chaka Barnett 54’), Alhousman Ndure, Wale Odedoyin, Antonio Montiero (Serkan Bunyat 71’) , Hasan Mustafa (Lamar Earle 54’).
Scorer – Hasan Mustafa (33’)
Eljay Worrell celebrates his late winner at Oakside (Photo by Philip Lindhurst @themotormen)
