Metropolitan Police thrash Redbridge in the FA Trophy (First round)

Redbridge 0-5 Metropolitan Police – FA Trophy (First Qualifying Round)

Metropolitan Police bagged themselves a place in the next round of the FA Trophy with an emphatic win over Redbridge at Oakside stadium.

Players warming up at the Oakside stadium

The away side took the lead within seconds as Crawley loanee Jonte Smith kept his fantastic form up with a neat finish from close range.

Smith, 17, continued to threaten the home side’s defence as he got on the end of most Met’s attacks.

Within seven minutes, Redbridge found themselves two-goals down. Craig Brown’s low cross reached Howard Newton, who tapped the ball past Michael Bowdwitch.

The home side began to show intent mid-way through the first half, a goal-mouth scramble was almost bundled into the net, but the ball somehow ended up going wide.

Steve Portway was clearly unhappy with his team’s efforts during the first forty minutes, the Redbridge manager decided to bring off Lee Newton for Stephen Ikumelo with ten minutes yet to play until the interval.

The Met’s continuous efforts soon showed why they were a division above the Motormen, Jimmy Cooper’s men made it three before the break.

It was a poor goal to concede from the home side’s point of view; Jamie Butler’s long goal kick forward looked like it was reaching Bowdwitch in the opposite goal, but the awkward bounce allowed Chris Bourne to nod the ball over the keeper and into the net.

HALF TIME: REDBRIDGE 0-3 METROPOLITAN POLICE

Second half chances were few and far between as both sides began to value possession a little more, Smith sustained his dominance up top for the Met.

Cooper decided to make all three of his substitutions at once mid-way through the second period, swapping three midfielders in the process.

With no substitutions remaining, Cooper was forced to bring Smith off with twenty minutes to go as he picked up a groin injury.

The Met showed no sign of having 10 men though; as the away side made it 4-0 when Newton poked home Billy Crock’s drilled cross.

Portway’s side began to come into the game a little more during the latter stages of the second half, opportunities were created by Nana Asamoah and Spencer Sachies but the Motormen failed to convert their chances.

The Met finished off the scoring during additional time with a well worked goal involving most of the team, this time Bourne turned provider for Alan Tait, who converted the cross into the fifth and final goal.

FULL TIME: REDBRIDGE 0-5 METROPOLITAN POLICE

 

Steve Portway decided to gather his players in the middle of the pitch after the game, which included some aggressive shouting and confrontation towards each other.

By Josh Harris