Regent bow out

Brightlingsea Regent hosted Witham Town in the 2nd round of the Robert Dyas Cup with the winners knowing a home tie against AFC Sudbury awaited in the next round. Webster started all 5 substitutes from Saturday's 5-0 victory as he looked to rotate his side and give everybody much needed rest or minutes. He welcomed back Ryan Bedingield into the squad but was without Michael Brothers who has accepted an offer from Needham Market and joins them with immediate affect. Witham Town who had been promoted into the Ryman Premier last season also rotated their squad.
Regent started flat and allowed the away side to settle and after 8 minutes they took the lead after forcing four consecutive corners, the last seeing the Witham strikers looped shot hit the bar before being poked home from close range for 0-1. Regent gradually settled and almost equalised on 18 minutes from a corner when Ollie Canfer sent his header across the box, Josh Gould seeing his header cleared off the line despite the home players suggesting it was over the officials were unmoved. Despite having the better of the possession for the remainder if the half the football was to pedestrian and the direct style of the away side maintained they carried a threat. HT 0-1

Phil Kelly replaced the injured Jake Turner and a slight reshuffle saw Regent start more positively and the young away keeper make a good save low down to his left from a sweet Ben Newson strike. The away side then had the perfect opportunity to increase their lead when through on goal but the effort was high and wild over the bar. Webster made his final two changes as he looked for more intensity. The away keeper then produced an even better save when a superb cross from Russell Malton was powerfully headed by Ben Newson but a smart reflex save resulted in a corner. Phil Kelly was next to be denied but his weaker header was comfortably helped wide by the keeper. Jake Holman made a superb last ditch block to deny the away side when they worked another opening. With time running out Regent were again denied but this time by the frame of the goal when TJ Amass collected a ball outside the edge of the area and held off an away player before unleashing a fierce strike that hit the underside of the bar before being cleared to safety. With 88 minutes on the clock the away side were handed a gift when Regent were caught on the ball 35 yards from goal, the Witham player taking full advantage by running into the area before firing into the far corner for 0-2. FT 0-2
Witham go into the next round where they will host AFC Sudbury.