London Senior Cup semi-final: Redbridge 0 Hendon 1

Redbridge bowed out of the London Senior Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Hendon last night (Tuesday) at Oakside.

A first half strike from Kezie Ibe was enough for current holders the Greens to progress to the final where they look set to retain their crown.

There was a lively start to proceedings with both sides going close in the early exchanges and the Motormen’s Joe Gent could have opened the scoring when Carlos Espirito Santo found him at the back post, but the winger could only volley straight at away custodian Joe Wright.

Hendon, who ply their trade in the Ryman Premier, a division above Redbridge, then went close when midfielder Keegan Cole created space on the edge of the box, but his shot was saved by Callum Chafer.

The home side were pushing for the opener and were really unlucky not to do so when Gent broke down the right and his teasing cross was retrieved by Santo.

Motormen’s striker played the ball to Rigers Kasbashi on the edge of the area, but the midfielders curling effort clipped the crossbar.

Next it was Santo himself who forced Hendon’s Wright into a wonderful save. After collecting a long throw, the striker swivelled and turned before unleashing a dipping shot which the Green goalkeeper managed to claw away for a corner.

Those chances proved to be a wake up call for the visitors who began to go onto the front foot. Brandon Adams was finding space for the Ryman Premier team and it was his fine work down the left that saw the away side go ahead.

A neat move saw Adams play in Kezie Ibe inside the box, the striker beat his man with his shot going in off the post to give Hendon the lead.

The opener settled down the visitors who were the better side towards the end of the first half with Adams, Cole and Ibe all going close with efforts while Redbridge were restricted to shots from set pieces.

Motormen changed shape at the break, going 4-3-3 looking to grab an equaliser and almost did straight from the kick-off, but Gent’s effort flew straight into the arms of Wright.

Carl McCluskey had a shot saved by Chafer as Hendon looked to put the game to bed with both sides pressing forward and they blew a fantastic chance 12 minutes after the restart.

Following a fantastic interception, Luke Tingey pushed forward down the right and his cross found the unmarked Adams at the back post, but the midfielder could only head wide.

Redbridge were being kept in the game by Chafer who made a wonderful save after good link up between Cole and Finbarr Robins played in Adams.

The Hendon number 10 picked the ball up just inside the box, but his low shot was tipped away by the Motormen goalkeeper.

Ibe then wasted a glorious opportunity with 18 minutes left, after another free flowing move from the visitors found McCluskey in the box.

The right midfielder back heeled the ball to the goalscorer, but he could only send his shot high over the bar from six-yards.

Redbridge were getting more desperate to pull themselves level and were trying to use substitute James Dobson’s long throw.

Reside Coxi-Sebastfao had a shot from distance but the hosts rarely troubled Joe Wright in the second period.

Although he should really have done better when found at the back post from Adam Hunt’s cross, but the Motormen number 11 could only head straight at Hendon’s goalkeeper.

The away side continued pushing forward to grab the decisive second and although it left them vulnerable to the counter attack, they were able to hold out and progress to the final.

It was a valient effort by the Ryman North outfit, who now switch their attention to the league and a trip to Dereham Town on Saturday.

Redbridge: Chafer, Sackey, Hunt, Burgess, Good, Jaffa (Belindir 73), Gent (Dobson 84), Kabashi (Hocking-Rising 90), Santo, Portway, Coxi-Sebastfao.

Unused substitutes: Freund, Cornelius.

Attendance: 87.