Ryman Division One North: Grays Athletic 0 Redbridge 2

Redbridge are continuing to pull up trees of late as they saw off the challenge of another promotion chasing side in the shape of Grays Athletic on Wednesday night.

Fresh off the back of Saturday’s 3-2 win at Oakside against Needham Market, Terry Spillane’s side recorded another victory to continue their rise up the Ryman One North table, and their push for the play-offs continue after goals from Ryan Wade and Nathan Gordon secured their fourth win in six league games.

Grays started out on top in the opening quarter of an hour, with Kenny Beaney’s dipping effort going just over the bar with four minutes on the clock.

There was some confusion amongst the Redbridge ranks, with goalkeeper Joe Wright failing to gather a long ball over the top as the home side went in search of the opener, but the visitors were able to clear their lines.

The Motormen’s first real chance of the match saw Nathan Gordon pace away from his man on the right wing and delivery the ball into the box but Wade was unable to get full contact on the ball as the effort squirmed wide.

But Wade did have his goal in the 22nd minute when the striker curled a free kick from just outside the box into the bottom corner with former Redbridge keeper Tony Tucker unable to stop the pinpoint effort.

Tucker just got down to save Vinnie Durrant’s free kick later on in the half, while for the home side Leon McKenzie shot straight at Wright.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the second period as Redbridge looked happy to maintain their lead, with central defenders Glen Golby and Matt Turpin at their best to keep Grays at bay.

Beaney came the closest to levelling the scores when livewire substitute Louis Dennis squared the ball to the midfielder after forcing keeper Wright out of his goal, but somehow his effort struck the inside of the post and out, much to annoyance of the strong home crowd.

Beaney was sent off six minutes from time when he went in late on Matt Turpin to pick up his second yellow card, and the impressive Gordon sealed the win late on when the Motormen broke from a Grays attack.

Gardner provided the perfect through ball for Gordon and the winger raced towards goal and shot low past Tucker from a tight angle,though the keeper should have done better with the effort.

Redbridge: Wright, Haywood, Durrant, Turpin, Golby, Hopkins, Bradbury, Toner, Gardner (Das 93), Wade (Dark 67), Gordon.

Unused substitutes: Sendall, Hepburn, Best.