Regent through in cup

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Burnham Ramblers to play in the first round of the Robert Dyas Cup and came away with a victory to send them into the second round where they face a home tie against Ryman Premier division side Witham Town. With the amount of fixtures, Webster took the opportunity to shuffle his squad and made 5 changes to the side who had beaten Thamesmead on Saturday. Both sides started the game reasonably well and in the first half it was the keepers who rained supreme with the home custodian making two good saves, one of these a top save and Andrew Plummer in the Regent goal also making one very good save. The home side had the first sight of goal with a header from a corner but this was placed wide before Regent forced the keeper into a routine save when Michael Brothers won the ball after a mislaid pass and fired at goal but straight at the keeper. Regent were looking threatening in the final third but too many times delayed the final pass or lacked that little bit of quality. The home side knocked the ball about well and created another chance from a set piece but Charlie Durling did excellently to block a goal bound effort in the area. Phil Kelly and Ricky Griggs combined well with Phil Kelly turning in the area before hitting a great strike which the keeper dived full length to save when destined for the top corner. Webster was then forced into his first change when Russell Malton was unable to continue after picking up an injury and was replaced by Ben Newson. Newson was straight into the action collecting a cross from Michael Brothers before controlling but he's shot was well blocked by the home defender who cleared to safety. The home side had their best chance just before half time when a direct pass was met by the number 9 but as he bore down on goal Andrew Plummer did superbly well to parry his effort to keep the scores level. HT 0-0
Regent started the second half with much more intensity and were soon rewarded, Amir Berkane winning the ball before playing to Ben Newson, his pass inside to Phil Kelly who played a sublime ball to Michael Brothers who collected and rounded the keeper, his shot from a tight angle was fired home from inside the 6 yard box by Sean Bartlett to make it 0-1. The home side looked for a response and again Andrew Plummer was equal to it when he saved from close range to deny the number 9 again. Regent looked like they had increased their lead when a cross from Ricky Griggs hit the bar before being tapped home by Phil Kelly but the assistants flag ruled him offside. Webster was then dealt another blow when first half substitute Ben Newson had to be replaced by Jake Turner after sustaining an injury. Regent increased their lead on 69 minutes after good play through midfield saw the ball played into the area where Charlie Durling flicked home to score his first senior goal to make it 0-2. Both Michael Brothers and Sean Bartlett went close but both could only find the side netting as the home side made their substitutions to look for a way back into the game. Again the R's work rate was nearly rewarded with Charlie Durling and Michael Brothers winning from the keepers clearance,Charlie Durling could only fire straight at the keeper who was advanced from his goal. Webster made his final change on 80 minutes with Matt Cripps replacing Sean Bartlett. On 87 minutes Phil Kelly got a deserved goal after more good work from Michael Brothers, Matt Cripps supplying a lovely weighted pass which Phil Kelly collected before jinking and shooting past the keeper who despite a hand on couldn't deny making it 0-3. The home side who continued to work hard were rewarded in injury time when a corner was met by a Burnham player who gave Plummer no chance to make it 1-3. FT 1-3
A good victory for Regent who progress into the next round, the only blip on the victory were the injuries collected.