Lacklustre Regent downed

Brightlingsea Regent bowed out of the FA Trophy with a poor display at Bedford Town. Webster was without Phil Kelly and Amir Berkane but did welcome back Ben Newson and Jake Turner who both returned to the starting line up.
Regent started the game reasonably well and went closest first when good play through midfield saw Michael Brothers find Russell Malton but his shot was over the bar. Regent then saw a deflected shot from Ben Newson loop over the bar when it looked like the deflection had beaten the stranded keeper. After 11 minutes Regent conceded a poor goal, a corner was played into the area with the Bedford number 5 walking in unmarked to head home for 1-0. Just two minutes later and with Regent on the attack the damage was further added to with the home side breaking on the R's a poor clearance saw Bedford pick the ball up again and the resulting cross into the Regent area was sliced into his own goal by Jake Gould. Regent had caused most of their own problems and the home side sensing blood were working harder and showing a lot more desire than Regent who were just able to keep it at 2-0 despite more poor marking at a corner seeing another free header for the home side but this time it was fortunately wide. After 32 minutes Regent were handed a lifeline when after handbags in the midfield the home skipper raised his hands and was sent off. Regent looked to exploit this as the home side looked to hold out till the half and forced several set pieces but Regent were always second to every ball and on their heels as the home side held out. HT 2-0
A response was needed and with two minutes on the clock Regent had the chance to get back in the game after a pass from Ben Newson found Russell Malton through on goal, slightly left of the posts but his shot was wide of the advancing keeper and the goal. The home side then realistically put the game to bed with a quick break from the right, the number 2 moving onto the ball before beating Jake Holman and firing past Andrew Plummer to make it 3-0 after 50 minutes. Webster made all three changes within the space of a couple of minutes as he looked for life in the R's. The home keeper again did well when advancing off his line to deny Ben Newson after a good pass from Ollie Canfer. Ricky Griggs for Regent looked to create openings and a good run and shot from deep was saved comfortably by the home keeper. With 75 minutes on the clock Regent finally looked to have made a break through when a cross from Ollie Canfer was headed in by Ben Newson but the assistant adjudged Ben offside. The home side added a cherry on top of their cake with a goal on 87 minutes after their substitute played a one, two before sliding past Andrew Plummer for 4-0. To sum the Regent day up a cross from wide was met by Josh Gould but his header was wide in injury time to leave Regent goalless. FT 4-0
A disappointing day and performance by Regent who will look to correct this when back in league action next weekend!