Regent draw

On Saturday we welcomed Downham Town to the Regent in our latest league game. There was a departure in the week and a new signing, which saw Terry Rymer going to Stanway Rovers and Liam Whittaker joining us from Stanway Rovers. A move which will hopefully work out well for both of the players and the clubs. We were still without Moysey but apart from this Webster had a full squad to choose from. We started the game slowly but still had the lion share of possession as the away side were looking to sit in and hit us on the break. Our best 2 chances early on fell to Pagey but on both occasions his header was guided straight in to the keeper’s hands. After 20 minutes the visitors had their best opening of the half when a long punt looked to be cleared by Warren, he instead tripped over his Ronald McDonald flippers and luckily for us the strikers shot was weak and easily dealt with by Griggsy. After 30 minutes Ricky Griggs worked the keeper, cutting inside the defender but his left foot shot was palmed round the post. For the last 10 minutes of the half we played at a better tempo and again Ricky went close but after again cutting inside the defender his shot this time was blazed over the bar from 12 yards. HT 0-0
We started the 2nd half poorly and Downham took full advantage of this although albeit with a tad of fortune. The ball was played out to the left where a cross from the winger somehow looped in to the far corner to make it 0-1. Our first substitution was made with Morley making his return to the team, replacing Warren. With 70 minutes gone we got our equaliser when the hard working Gouldy made a direct run from left back before he was brought down in the box. Pagey took the resulting penalty and buried top bins to make it 1-1. With us seemingly back in the game, we were expecting to go on but no sooner were we level then we were back behind. A poor pass in midfield was intercepted and Downham took advantage of a 3v2 to find the extra man, who slotted in the bottom corner to make it 1-2. Jamie Clark was brought on in place of Tevez as we looked for another equaliser. Liam was then brought on for his debut in place of Philbo. It looked like time was running out and we were hindered more so when the Ref played an advantage that everybody in the ground except Gouldy heard. He stopped the ball like a toddler does with the palm of his hand before trying to Tony toe punt it! We gave him some “ Yog,Yog” to console him. In the 89th minute we got a more than deserved equaliser when the ball was scrambled clear but returned in by Ricky Griggs who cross was volleyed home by Pagey to make it 2-2. FT 2-2
Another frustrating performance from the lads that has now seen us collect only 4 points in our first 5 games. With the ability in our squad though I know this will change and the sooner the better. Keep the faith Regent!!