MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 2-2 REDBRIDGE

Enfield’s final home game of 2021 ended in disappointing fashion after they were held to a 2-2 draw againstRedbridge.

James Barlow gave Redbridge the lead in the first half before Dwade James and a Bradley Bennett own goal turned it around for the E’s. However, they were denied all three points thanks to a Loui Hazelwood penalty meaning the points were shared.

The home side had the game’s first real effort on goal through Samrai Gebrai, who cut in on the near side before striking wide. Meanwhile, up the other end, Redbridge came close as James Barlow’s shot was kept out by James Bransgrovebefore the follow-up effort from Jack Chawner was caught.

With 12 minutes played, the Motormen continued to threatenas Bransgrove cleared the ball straight into the path of Darnel Bromfield, whose audacious long range effort was inches over.

As the first half progressed on, Redbridge were the better of the two sides, but Bransgrove was once again on hand to keep Enfield in the game, this time parrying Ibrahim Kehinde’s close range attempt.

The away side’s dominance continued but were yet to find the opening goal of the game. Bromfield was again involved for Redbridge, but Bransgrove made a fantastic save to keep out his attempt on the edge of the area.

Meanwhile, up the other end, Enfield had a rare sighting on goal as Dwade James took a touch before striking off-target.However, eight minutes before the break, Redbridge at long last took the lead as Jack Roult’s low driven cross was turned home by the captain Barlow for 1-0.

After the restart, the home side had made a slight improvement and had an opportunity to get themselves level. Goalkeeper Michael Corderoy’s clearance fell to Jamie Cureton but his shot was wide of the target.

The Enfield player-manager came close to scoring moments later as Tyler Corlett’s free-kick fell to the forward, who could only strike wide. The E’s continued their second half dominance and almost scored just shy of the hour mark. Ryan Ramsay’s cross fell to James as the striker skewed his header off-target.

Midway through the second period though and Redbridge had a glorious chance to double their advantage. Bromfield capitalised on an error from defender Jack Grosvenor before finding himself one-on-one with Bransgrove, who was down to make a vital stop.

However, with 18 minutes to go, Enfield at last found themselves on level terms. Following some great build-up play, David Cowley flicked the ball into the path of James as he fired into the roof of the net to add to his phenomenal goal tally for the season.

Three minutes later and the home side completed the turnaround to take a 2-1 lead. Vinny Murphy delivered in an exquisite cross towards the Redbridge penalty area as the ball was headed into his own net by Bradley Bennett. An unfortunate moment for the defender but one that put Enfield ahead.

As the game headed into the closing stages, the E’s had a big opportunity to seal the three points as James was played through on goal, but his effort was saved by Corderoy. Shortly after, Redbridge came close to making it 2-2 as the ball fell to Bennett, whose shot deflected wide.

However, deep into added time, the Motormen were awarded a questionable penalty after what looked to have been a foul on a Redbridge player. The resulting spot kick was converted by the substitute Loui Hazelwood as despite Bransgrove going the right way, tucked home his penalty into the bottom right corner.

In the end, the match ended 2-2 meaning both sides had to settle for a point. Enfield will have no doubt been the more disappointed not to have come away with all three having been ahead right until the very end before the equalising goal.