Motormen joint-boss disappointed to start 2016 with another Ryman North defeat

Redbridge joint-manager Ricky Eaton admits conceding two early own goals proved costly in their 4-2 defeat away to Ryman North rivals Cheshunt.

The Motormen aimed to start 2016 better than they ended 2015, but those hopes were dashed as early the sixth minute when Michael Akande put the ball into his own net.

Stepehn Good repeated the feat 14 minutes later to heap further misery on Redbridge, although they were given a glimmer of hope when Ambers defender Joe Kizzi scored the third own goal of the first half to make it 2-1 at the break.

The visitors’ pressed on in search of an equaliser, but their progress was halted when Adam Bolle scored for the hosts in the 62nd minute.

Reside Coxi Sebastfao struck seven minutes later to give the Motormen hope once more, only for it to be ended when Stuart Zannone added a fourth for Cheshunt three minutes from time.

Without conceding the two own goals, Redbridge would have returned with a vital point to their name and Eaton was left to think about what might have been.

“It was very hard for both teams in what were very bad conditions and I think that played a part in both of the own goals we let in,” he said.

“You can’t account for own goals before a game and both of them were very similar — a cross came in and one of our defenders would slice their clearance into the net.”

There were some positive aspects for the Motormen to take from the game despite the result, including their resilience despite finding themselves two goals behind on more than one occassion.

Eaton said he was pleased to see his team continue to battle despite the scoreline, but admits their finishing in front of goal left a lot to be desired at the end of the match.

“We rallied well and I think our first should go down as Harry Prince’s goal because it was on target,” added Eaton. “At 2-1 we had chances that we didn’t take before Cheshunt scored again.

“Then at 3-2, we also had chances which again we didn’t take. Towards the game, we were chasing it, but couldn’t score. Credit to Cheshunt who did take theirs.”