Witham Town's impressive unbeaten home record in Ryman League division one north this season stayed intact as they beat Redbridge 2-0 at the Village Glass Stadium.

The hosts started the game playing into a fierce wind and profited from keeping the ball on the floor.

This policy paid dividends as a through ball saw Tom Wraight race clear down the left in the fifth minute.

Redbridge's players appealed for offside but the linesman's flag stayed lowered and Wraight's low cross was turned in at the far post by Kris Newby.

It was just the start that the hosts wanted, but Redbridge weren't dissuaded and stuck to their own task well.

They used the wind advantage well and pushed Witham back for much of the first half, however, they couldn't make a telling breakthrough as the hosts defended their lines well.

That strong defence was matched by some quality on the counter-attack and Town looked a threat every time they ventured forward.

Lee Townrow, making his Witham debut after joining on loan from Needham Market, was lively up front and he started and finished the move that led to the hosts' second goal in the 31st minute.

Having won a tussle in midfield, Townrow spread the ball wide to Danny Emmanuel, who sent in a great cross for the Needham loanee to head home.

It was a goal that put Witham well in control and it could have been even better just before half-time had Wraight found the target when well-placed rather than blasting over.

Redbridge began the second half with purpose and pressed forward into the wind, but Witham weathered that and gradually took the sting out of their opponents' game.

And their task was made easier with 15 minutes to go when Redbridge skipper Daniel Smith was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on Emmanuel.

There was brief hope for the Motormen when they won a penalty in the 87th minute but Liam Thomas' spot-kick lacked any power and gave Witham keeper Martyn Guest an easy save as they saw out the game without any further dramas.