After progressing to the next round of the FA Cup in midweek Boro made it two cup wins in a row at fellow Isthmian North side Redbridge.
Redbridge put Boro out of the same competition last season and came into the game off back-to-back league wins.
Boro lined up:
Michael Acquah; Ebz Addo-Kuffour; Alaa Oujdi; Jorge Djassi-Sambu; Dan Carey-Evans; J’Ardell Stirling; Manny Yeboah; Richard Ennin; Fred Agyemang; Derek Asamoah; Tommy Boxer
Subs: Reuben Rabstein (GK); Scott Mitchell; Joe Waight; George Aresti; Demmy Nicolaou
The game kicked off under grey east London skies and for 20 minutes watching the clouds was about as interesting as it got.
The first half chance fell to Manny as a ball reached him in the area, but by the time he’d shifted it to his left the Redbridge defence were able to block.
Ebz was showing adventure down the right and drew the first booking of the afternoon, being unceremoniously upended after powering past two opponents.
The chances on goal were still few and far between with the better chances coming the way of the hosts. First, a dangerous cross flashed across Boro’s six yard box, and away. Then, a free kick on the edge of the area was palmed away from the top corner by Michael, who then claimed the loose ball.
But, despite finding it difficult to create a clear cut chance Boro took the lead 8 minutes before the break. Ebz played Derek in down the channel and his shot was blocked behind. Manny’s corner was cleared and worked back to him by Richard. His second attempt hit the perfect spot between defence and keeper. As Tommy challenged, a defender’s toe poked the ball beyond the advancing keeper and Jorge was on hand to gleefully prod home from half a yard. With no further action of note Boro went into the break 1 up.
It was so nearly 2 just a couple of minutes into the second half.
The Redbridge keeper, under pressure failed to deal with a corner and the ball looped goalwards only for a retreating defender to head off the line. But if we thought Boro would be able to press home their advantage, we were wrong. Over the next 15 minutes Redbridge took the ascendancy and really should have been level. Three headed chances were spurned, either straight at Michael or over, when well placed and unmarked. The third seemed to be the most egregious miss with the goal gaping.
To freshen things up Mitchell, Aresti and Waight replaced Boxer, Ennin and Agyemang, and Waight was soon in the action firing wide across goal.
Aresti dragged a shot wide before Waight narrowly missed getting on the end of Derek’s whipped, low cross.
But the chances Redbridge had spurned earlier in the half were forgotten soon after. Boro failed to clear decisively and, out of shape, a return cross to the far post was volleyed in, unmarked. Level with 10 minutes to go until the prospect of penalties to decide the tie.
Boro thought they had retaken the lead just moments later. As the keeper, a defender and Waight challenged for the ball, a scramble on the floor saw the ball come free and tucked away. The ref initially seemed to give the goal, but ultimately called a foul on the keeper, deeming him to have had the ball in both hands, and it being kicked out.
Scott took a blow to the face, and was on the sidelines as Boro defended a dangerous free kick, and as 6 minutes of added time were indicated, George won a free kick near the byline on the left.
His ball in was blocked away from the near post and ran towards the edge of the area. There, a lurking Manny stepped onto it and unleashed a rocket of a left foot shot in to the top corner. It was a strike worthy of winning any game, and better was to come.
As Redbridge pressed for an equaliser they won another attacking free kick. They threw everything forward, including the keeper. Jorge cleared the free kick and as the ball was played back in was on hand to hoof it clear. And Waight took off after it. He outpaced a defender and collected the ball on the right edge of the Redbridge area. He turned inside, taking the defender out of the play, and with the keeper and another defender straining every sinew to get back, calmly slotted in to and empty net make the game safe.
Boro find out their next opponent in Monday’s draw, the same day we return to Redbridge in league action.
Att: 132
