In extremely testing conditions, Upminster Mens 2nd team welcomed high flying Redbridge & Ilford Mens 1st team to Coopers.
The home side started well by moving the ball across the back and created a few early chances that came to nothing. A fine strike from a PC by Nick O’Dell was correctly ruled out after it failed to hit the backboard. Redbridge & Ilford started getting more of the ball but failed to create anything meaningful before the end of the half.
Upminster pushed a little higher and after a fine dribble into the ‘D’ from David Hadsley the ball fell to David Robeson who found the net with a great strike. As the weather deteriorated the game became a little heated when a poor tackle from a Redbridge & Ilford player led to a team member receiving a Red Card.
Redbridge & Ilford were now down to 10 men and Upminster punished the away team when Nick O’Dell finished off a back post tap in after good work from Ryan Hodges & Glen Noller. The U’s wrapped up the game when Noller struck home from a clever PC.
There was still time for Rebridge & Ilford to pull a goal back but it was too little too late for the away side. Upminster travel to Lee Valley next week looking to pick up a further 3 points against Waltham Forest 2s to move them into mid-table safety.
