Match action as Redbridge seal the BBC Essex Senior Cup (Image: Jack Patmore)
Redbridge clinched the BBC Essex Senior Cup with a 5-4 sudden-death penalty shootout victory over Colchester United in their first final in 60 years.
An equal game throughout saw the teams go close but both struggled to apply the finishing touch until a penalty shootout followed in which the Motormen were victors, captain Lewis Clark grabbing the headlines with the winning spot kick.
An uneventful opening half-hour saw both sides limited to few chances. Redbridge had the first shot in anger through Solomon Ogunwomoju on 14 minutes as he brought Sam Hornby into action but his strike was easily saved.
Colchester, with the threat of first-team regular Samson Tovide, were hoping their youthful experience would guide them to county cup glory and they nearly opened the scoring when the 20-year-old was sent through but a heavy touch cost him as Connor Wheatley collected.
With the final on a knife-edge, Colchester continued to probe and a goalmouth scramble resulted in many U’s players trying their luck but just couldn’t break down a resolute Redbridge rearguard.
The second half was swaying into Colchester’s favour as they looked the more likely side to strike the first blow. One minute into the second half and Hakeem Sandah’s strike hit the crossbar before oncoming substitute Kaleel Green could only head wide from close range.
They continued to assert their dominance on proceedings as Sandah was once again the tormentor in chief but Wheatley came to Redbridge’s aid by parrying away down to his right.
The Oscar Thorn and Sandah link-up continued to torment Redbridge as the former provided for the ex-Tottenham Hotspur youngster, leading to a good stop from Wheatley on 55 minutes.
Colchester continued to have the majority of the chances while Redbridge were just looking to hold on in the closing stages at The Chigwell Construction Stadium, a later venue change due to the ongoing pitch problems at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium.
The Motormen came close in one of their only chances of the second half with just under ten minutes remaining as Bradley Bennett’s delivery from a free-kick begged to be tapped home by a red shirt but nobody was there to do so.
They seemed to now spring into life and nearly nicked it in the dying embers as Soumen Nandi navigated past a few Colchester players only to be met by a superb save from Hornby.
After both sides scored their first two in the shootout, they both had efforts saved in the third with Green and Ronnie Winn being denied.
The game headed into sudden-death and the lottery of a penalty shootout was to cost Colchester as Frankie Edwards’ strike was saved with Clark converting for Redbridge to seal this season’s county cup.
