Poor defending cost Northwood dear as they slumped to their annual midweek defeat at the Oakside Stadium. Woods endured a frustrating evening which culminated in John Christian receiving two yellow cards in the space of three second-half minutes with a quarter of the match remaining, leaving his team a man down as they attempted to claw back a three-goal deficit.

There was one change to the starting line-up as Hugo Figueiredo replaced Leon Osei in the Northwood attack. And the evening looked promising as the Woods won a series of corners and free-kicks around the Redbridge box, but they were unable to capitalise on the excellent delivery form Gary Burrell and Kyle Matthews.

Northwood maintained the early pressure with Scott Orphanou and Burrell trying their luck from outside the box, but the Redbridge goal remained intact. Whilst at the other end, Mitch Swain saved comfortably from Leon Diaczuk.

As has been the case in recent times, Northwood’s bright start dissipated and Redbridge gained the upper hand, Harry Oniha failing to capitalise on a defensive error as he rolled his shot wide of the far post, before the same player went close with a near post header from an Andy Edmunds free-kick. The Motormen continued to press for the opening goal, Swain having to deal with Matt Gillingham’s shot from the edge of the box. But the pressure finally told as Michael Peacock was induced into a rash challenge in the box, Diaczuk stepping up to make no mistake from 12-yards to give Redbridge the lead on 41 minutes.

Woods briefly threatened as Burrell’s free-kick deflected off the Motormen’s wall, but the play immediately switched to the other end and Swain deflected Oniha’s initial shot, but the Northwood defence failed to clear the loose ball and Anton Adgdumar was presented with a gift to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Woods began the second period with a change in midfield as Anthony Page replaced Harry Smart and once again the visitors started well with Orphanou trying his luck with a long range shot, whilst Figueiredo’s deft volley narrowly cleared the bar following Burrell’s pin-point cross.

However, hopes of a Northwood revival were short-lived as the lively Diaczuk danced into the box and was caught by Chris Seeby, Diaczuk picking himself up to convert the penalty-kick to effectively end the contest on the hour-mark. And Woods’ misery was compounded as Christian received his marching orders on 65 minutes.

John Sonuga made his Northwood debut as a 69th minute substitute for Figueiredo and hopes were raised of a possible fight-back as Brad Hewitt opened his account for the season when he headed home Burrell’s corner on 73 minutes.

Danny Power was introduced for Burrell on 77 minutes and Hewitt went close to adding a second goal. But there was to be no miracle comeback for Northwood and it is back to the drawing board for Dave Anderson and his men.

Report by ROBIN PIPER