Non-league: Redbridge under pressure against Enfield

Motormen welcome their Isthmian League North rivals to Oakside Stadium, after the departure of their previous management team and several players.

And Christou wants his players to maintain their good form on home turf, having beaten Stotfold 1-0 in the FA Trophy last weekend.

“We played Enfield four or five times last season [in Essex Senior League and cup fixtures],” he said.

“They’ve got a new manager and a lot of players have gone, so there’s a lot of unknowns.

“We don’t know the ins and outs of what has happened, but it’s a free hit for Enfield.

“All the pressure is on us, we’re at home and we’ve had a good start at home, winning two and drawing one.

“We’ve got to be at it at home, like last year. We only lost once at Oakside and we relish playing anyone at our place.

“We can’t really do any homework on Enfield so will have to learn on the job and stick to what we do well and see what happens.”

A stunning first-half goal from Joe Elliot proved enough to see off Stotfold and securing a trip to Witham Town on September 23.

And Christou admitted he was really pleased by the performance of his side, adding: “Saturday was good. We looked more like ourselves, the side that got us into this division, hard-working on the front foot.

“I was really pleased. It was the first Trophy game for seven or eight years and it was nice to win and get some money for the club.

“We all know Joe has that in his locker. He’s an outstanding defender but also a really good threat.

“It was probably the best goal I’ve ever seen by a defender. There was some good build-up play, 10 or 12 passes, then Joe bent it in from outside the area.

“I said it was worthy of winning any game and we had to make sure we went on to win it. It couldn’t be in vain in a 2-1 loss.”

As well as earning the club £1,500 in prize money, it gave them the chance to return to Witham, having drawn on the opening day of the league season.

And Christou hopes his side learned a valuable lesson from that result.

“We created enough chances to win four matches and conceded a last-minute goal. We want to avenge that 1-1 draw,” he said.

“We were worthy of the three points on the day but didn’t take our chances.

“And 1-0 at this level is not enough some times if you don’t take your chances and kill teams off. Players have the quality to score in the first minute or 96th minute.

“They’ve picked up some good results this season, they’re fit and strong.”