Redbridge 2, Grays Athletic 2

Redbridge won 7-6 on penalties

GRAYS bowed out of the Istmian Alan Turvey League Cup sponsored by Velocity on Monday night (27 October) after losing a sudden-death penalty shoot-out.

It was a match that swung either way during normal time with Grays taking the lead on eight minutes when Southend United loanee Jack Stone converted a penalty after the Motormen's captain Henry Day was judged to have fouled in the box.

It was a quick turn round for Stone who faced Grays in the Essex Senior Cup last week, when Blues won 4-0. 

After that match Stone signed his first professional contract with the Shrimpers, who immediately loaned the 20-year-old to Grays until January 2026 to continue his development in senior football.

Redbridge almost got a quick equaliser when Jack Chawner played the ball over the top searching for the run of Day who just failed to connect at the far post and make up for his earlier error.

However, Soumen Nandi put the hosts level on 18 minutes, firing past Grays keeper Mackenzie Drew.

Nandi almost got his second when his long-range effort forced a good save from Drew however the home side did go ahead in the 46^th minute when Prince Sikiru showed good composure to cut inside then place the ball into the bottom of the net although he took a knock for his troubles and was forced to leave the field being replaced by George Cleveland.

Grays' reply was almost instantaneous, when a cross from Freddie Price found the head of ex Redbridge midfielder Oscar Shelvley who headed home from close range to level at 2-2.

Though Redbridge were to have the better of play in the second half, that was the end of the scoring and the match went straight to penalties

With both sides scoring their first five kicks sudden death arrived and the decisive moment came when home keeper Jake Anderson made the all-important stop to see his side win 7-6.