Regent win a thriller

On Monday we welcomed Godmanchester to North Road looking to bounce back after Saturdays defeat to Thetford. Godmanchester, only needing 3 points, like Thetford, to secure promotion. The geez, as ever had the pitch looking decent and with the bank holiday rain it was looking slick, a little like Rymer’s side parting. There were a few changes, some due to players being unavailable, Joe came in for Sam, Salter came in for Kev, which meant a reshuffle in defence and midfield and Clarky came in for Philbo. After a decent warm up, the boys, despite 2 games in 3 days were ready and buzzing for the game. With Wallis and Salter reunited in the midfield, I accidently nicknamed them “Walter” when talking before the game. It’s been taken on board though and “Walter” is Brightlingsea’s version of “Jedward”, however “Walter” are more in the intimidating business than show business. We started the game well and for the first 15 minutes did well with some encouraging moments. The away side came in to the game and after 25 minutes took the lead. The 10, bent in a 25 yard free kick, in to the top bins to make it 0-1. We were competing well but our composure on the ball was sometimes letting us down. Luckily for us though after some good play from Walter found Tevez out wide, his scuffed shot went across the box, where Clarky was running in to tap home 1-1. HT 1-1
A positive talk and a change were needed, with Sam coming on in goal for the injured Joe. The away side started the better and after 5 minutes a second soft penalty in 3 days saw us go behind. The 10 stepped up and despite Sam getting a hand on it, made it 1-2. This spurred us on and maybe the away players, like their travelling fans, thought this meant promotion. Walter though had different ideas and really started bossing the midfield with our 2 wingers and forwards beginning to see plenty of the ball. After 20 minutes we were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, up stepped Rymer to bend in to the bottom corner to make it 2-2. His celeb that followed the goal was confusing though, as between his last goal and this, he appears to have found God, judging by his crucifix celeb? We were now in the ascendancy and twice in quick succession the keeper made 2 outstanding saves from tricky Griggsy. Hilly came on for Clarky and offered even more trickery out wide and with 10 minutes remaining, set up what proved to be the winner. After a corner, Hilly received virtually on the line, there appeared to be no room but some great tekkers saw him turn the full back inside out, before crossing in to the box, Jake Holman setback for Rymer who from 8 yards made no mistake and found the opposite corner this time to make it 3-2. Great celebrations from the boys showing how much they’d put in to the game. The away side tried to get back in to the game and with less than 5 minutes to go, forced a succession of corners but we dealt with them well and looked to have seen the game out. In injury time though the Referee awarded a penalty when Wayne pulled down a player in the box, again the 10 stepped up but this time Sam produced an absolute worldy to push the penalty on to the crossbar. Ft 3-2
A great performance from the boys with players out and 2 tough games in 3 days, it would have been easy for the boys to lie down but they showed great resolve and lots of quality in the 2nd half especially, to win a pulsating game.
#chasethedreamnotthemoney