Two goals in the final 7 minutes gave Lowestoft Town a flattering victory and passage into the 1st Qualifying Round in which they will visit Hendon in a fortnight.

With Matthew Halliday injured Matty Potter came into the starting line up for his first game of the season. The teams were greeted by a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch which spoilt the game as a spectacle and made life difficult for the players.

Redbridge had the first shot at goal but Harry Oniha’s effort went straight at Andy Reynolds. With the strong wind behind them Lowestoft were prepared to try their luck from distance. Neil Plaskett shaved the post from 30 yards and an excellent turn and shot by Matt Nolan was inches too high.

Lowestoft’s mounting pressure paid off in the 23rd minute as they took the lead. Jamie Bly miscontrolled a high bouncing ball and matt Nolan pounced to shoot past David McCartney from 12 yards. Neil Plaskett, Matt Nolan and Jamie Godbold combined to open up the Redbridge defence but Nolan’s shot was parried by David McCartney.

Redbridge enjoyed a better spell and an Andy Edmunds free kick was saved by the diving Andy Reynolds who did even better moments later as he finger tipped the ball over from a fierce Leon Diaczuk drive.

Lowestoft increased their lead in the 41st minute with Matt Nolan getting his second of the day shooting home from12 yards.

Early in the second half Adam Smith set up Jamie Godbold but David McCartney held the ball under the bar. Play became very scrappy before Redbridge pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute. A quickly taken throw in on the right released Harry Oniha who crossed low for Leon Diaczuk to calmly take the ball round Andy Reynolds to shoot into an empty net.

Stung into action Lowestoft came more into the game and Craig Bussens twice made tracks down the right and from the second his cross picked out Gary McGee whose header was saved by David McCartney. Ross King made ground down the opposite flank but his low cross saw Simon Peddie’s excellent tackle deny Matt Nolan his hattrick. Andrew Fisk saw his25 yard effort saved at the foot of the post by David McCartney.

At the other end a Leon Diaczuk from 30 yards dropped tantalisingly close to the upright. Lowestoft settled their nerves with a third goal in the 83rd minute. Neil Plaskett won the ball and played it forward to Matt Nolan who in turn released Andrew Fisk down the right. Fisk unselfishly squared the ball into the middle to give Gary McGee a simple tap in.

Lowestoft added a 4th goal in the 86th minute. Andrew Fisk picked up a rebound after Craig Bussens’ shot had been blocked and played it through for substitute Christy Finch to shoot across David McCartney and just inside the far post.

MATCH SPONSOR: APEX SCAFFOLDING
MATCH BALL SPONSOR: RICHARD REEVE WAVENEY PRINT and PETER CHENERY.
MAN OF THE MATCH: ANDREW FISK

Attendance: 642

Terry Lynes

Match Information

Score: Lowestoft Town - 4      Redbridge - 1

Back