The reigning champions were a team to respect but not fear and with the Sollosi’s and the unsung hero, James Berkley running the midfield, the game began with Redbridge in the ascendency.
Play was being dominated by central midfield play which was a joy to watch and both teams seemed intent on playing football though Raiders like a long cross-field pass to try and catch out the defence.
Raiders took the lead with a sloppy pass in the centre of midfield not being picked up by Goldstein who then saw Raiders get the ball forward at pace and there was a smart finish by MATT STOCK past the onrushing Jay Jaffa in the Redbridge goal.
This unsettled Redbridge for 10 minutes but they were given a lifeline by a goal of real quality with a great run and finish by the atoning GOLDSTEIN for his first of the season.
Redbridge were moving through the gears and just before half-time, took the lead from a loopy and high corner by Sam Sollosi and a bullet header FROM BERKLEY sent high and true into the Raiders net.
The shape of the team was good and captain Danny Hakimi was emphasising how important it was to keep the discipline and shape.
After 10 minutes, Raiders found their way back into the goal with a simple but smart finish by JORDAN MARKS who had moved to the other side of the pitch to keep away from bulldog and evergreen Craig Sandford.
Raiders then turned up the heat for 10 minutes of play but couldn’t create any real chances with good defensive work from a Redbridge backline of Sandford, Cole, Neiman and captain, Danny Hakimi.
With around 20 minutes left, Sam Sollosi picked up the ball on the Redbridge right and went on a mesmerising run that must have taken out at least fouor Raiders players, who RJC boss Jon Jacobs "believes are still dizzy from the run" and passed a simple finish for Berkley to slot home the winner. Jacobs later described the build-up as "a moment of pure gold."
RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "There's no doubt that Redbridge deserved the win and although an open game, the win could have been more emphatic."
Daniel Shafron reflected on his first competitive match as NLR boss was disappointment. He told JC Sport: "We took too long to settle into the game and against a good team like Redbridge, the smallest amount of sloppiness is costly.
"The two goals we conceded in the first half were through lack of concentration and could have been prevented.
"We found more rhythm in the second half, had good possession but couldn’t turn our chances in to goals. At 2-2 it could have gone either way but Sam Sollosi, who was mesmerising all game, produced a magical moment against the run of play which knocked us.
"Overall we simply weren’t good enough. We lost the ball too easily and lacked precision and fluidity. Our decision-making also needed to be better. We can’t expect to play well for patches against top sides and come away with a result. The focus and work rate needs to be there until the final whistle.
"I am disappointed but I know that we have the character and mentality to bounce back and will use this disappointment as motivation moving forward."
