TERRELL Egbri's brace helped Maldon and Tiptree beat a stubborn Redbridge 4-2 in an entertaining clash, at Park Drive, writes LEE WITNEY.
A familiar face returned to the Jammers’ back four with Jayden Randell’s loan signing confirmed prior to kick-off and he came into the team in place of Frankie Edwards.
Maldon’s bright start was rewarded when Redbridge defender Bradley Bennett turned Milton Oni’s cross into his own net after Jammers’ man Shane Temple initially mis-kicked.
Mekael Williams recovered well to block Egbri’s effort and George Smith was denied by keeper Connor Wheatley, as Maldon pushed for a second.
Smith's effort clipped the bar and went behind and Harry Phillips side-footed wide at the back post, as the Jammers pressed.
Just before half-time, Maldon eventually got the second goal their dominance had merited in stunning fashion.
Egbri was picked out by Smith on the edge of the box and unleashed a curling effort that found the top far corner for one of the most aesthetically pleasing goals you’ll ever see.
Redbridge came flying out of the traps in the second half.
Within five minutes of the restart, Soumen Nandi fired home a long-range spectacular shot of his own to halve the deficit.
The visitors had found their groove and eight minutes later, Solomon Ogunwomoju levelled things up as headed home at the back post.
Smith missed a good chance but did not have to wait long to grab the goal his usual effort and work rate more than deserved.
Some slick passing in the middle from Chatting and Oni saw Yassine El-Neyah take the ball before laying to an overlapping Phillips.
Phillips' cross found the head of Smith who guided it home to restore Maldon’s lead, with 14 minutes left.
Egbri’s second of the afternoon just two minutes later sealed the points for Maldon.
A clearance from a Redbridge corner found Smith in his own half with Egbri in support against one Redbridge defender.
Smith raced away before squaring to Egbri who was in acres of space on the left hand side and drove the ball through Wheatley’s hands.
Collins made a magnificent save to push a shot onto the bar late on but Maldon claimed victory to move up to sixth in Pitching In Isthmian League division north and two points outside the play-offs.
Maldon host Little Oakley in their Essex Senior Cup quarter-final tonight and travel to play Gorleston, on Saturday.
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