Triumph for the underdogs

Felixstowe and Walton United saw their Play Off Semi-Final hoodoo take charge for a third year in a row, as they fell to defeat against Redbridge at the seaside. 

The Seasiders had already defeated the Motormen twice this season; indeed, the last six times they had met, Felixstowe had triumphed. They came into this match ten games unbeaten, having kept four clean sheets in a row, and twenty six points ahead of their visitors- and yet they were a goal down on seven minutes, three down early in the second half, and despite rallying fell to a three-two defeat. 

Redbridge travelled in good form, seven unbeaten, and were looking for a fourth win in a row, yet the odds were stacked against them. The Motormen, however, weren’t interested in any of that, and went ahead on seven minutes, Kai Thomas-Fraser heading home from a corner.

The hosts rallied, and hit the bar, but despite having most of the ball couldn’t find a way through the visitors defence and six minutes into the second half Charles Brown-Bampoe delivered a fine finish to double the Redbridge lead. If home supporters thought that things couldn’t get worse, they were wrong, as Brown-Bampoe quickly added number three. 

The hosts roused themselves. Sam Ford quickly got a goal back, and at the end Zak Brown got another to bring it back to three-two, but it was not enough, and the Motormen will travel to Stanway Rovers for the Final on Saturday.

Image from Stefan Peck. 

Waltham Abbey were the hosts for Stanway Rovers as third faced fourth. We expected that this one would be close, and indeed it was, but it was the visitors- newly promoted to Step Four this season- who have the chance of adding a second promotion in a row to their roll of honour. 

The sides had each won at home against the other this season, and the Abbotts got their noses in front ten minutes before half time, Kai Brown putting them ahead. They had only lost twice at home this season, but the visitors had been better on the road than at home so wouldn’t have been too downhearted. They were given a helping hand just before the hour, a red card for the hosts Kieron Cathline leaving them with ten men- and were soon level, Natt Mardell making no mistake from the spot.

Five minutes from time Rovers struck again, Orlando Bethmann hammering home a rebound after his initial effort was saved, and they held on to start the celebrations.

Congratulations to both sides. We head to Rovers for the Final, which kicks off on Saturday at 3PM. 

Commiserations to both hosts, who have had magnificent campaigns.