1 November 2022

London Senior Cup 1st round

Redbridge                            2          Barlow 4, Thompson pen 50

Erith and Belvedere          5          Purcell 29, 56, 90, N Palmer 71, Wilson 73

BUCKETING DOWN IN BARKINGSIDE BUT DERES PULL THROUGH

The contrast with Saturday couldn’t have been greater!  From the Indian summer at Whitstable to the decidedly autumnal conditions at Redbridge, where those standing behind the goal were sent scurrying for shelter by teeming rain within the first five minutes.  The Essex Leaguers took the lead twice but George Purcell equalised twice and a quick one-two 20 minutes from time turned things the Deres’ way before George completed his hat-trick. 

Redbridge took the lead in the fifth minute when a cross from the right was turned in by James Barlow.  It took until the half-hour for Deres to get on terms while it was bucketing down in Barkingside, George Purcell bagging the equaliser.  Just before half-time Rory Ward warmed the hands of Redbridge's keeper George Martin (not that one) but the half ended 1-1.

The rain had eased by the time the second half started, and five minutes after the restart Abs Thompson put the hosts back in front from the spot.  This time the lead lasted just six minutes before Purcell pounced on a loose ball for his second equaliser of the night.

Into the last 20 minutes with the scores level, but the Deres were to take the spoils with a late flourish.  First Nathan Palmer finished off a Monger forward ball to give  Deres the lead, and seemingly seconds after Redbridge had kicked off Ben Wilson saw Martin off his line and outrageously lobbed him from 40 yards.

With the cushion of a two-goal lead, Tony Beckingham made an audacious substitution, replacing 19 year old Bradley Ryan with 43 years and 8 months old Andy Constable, coming on for his first Deres appearance since the Kent League Cup Final on 11 May 2013, 9½ years ago.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to add to his 64 goals in two seasons for the Deres, but he was there when in the fourth minute of time added on good work by Tyrell Richardson-Brown down the right let in Purcell to complete his hat-trick and round off the scoring at 5-2 for the Deres.

REDBRIDGE: George Martin; Brad Bennett, Lewis Risk, Dean Hall, Olamiji Ayoola, Joey May, Abs Thompson, Daniel Okah, Simon Bamidele, James Barlow, Samraj Gill.  Subs: Connor Wheatley, Tayo-Joshua Olukolu, Solomon Ogunwomoju, Robbie Norris, Joe Elliott.

DERES: Adam Molloy; Ryan Palmer (AJ Morrison 57), Ben Wilson, Jerome Wade (Nathan Palmer 57), Reece Barrett, Rob Strachan, Rory Ward, George Monger, Tunde Aderonmu (Tyrell Richardson-Brown 57), George Purcell, Bradley Ryan (Andy Constable 82).  Sub: Chris Tuley.