Regent progress to Quarter-Final

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to fellow Ryman League side Romford for a 4th round tie in the Essex Senior Cup with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Webster was without Ben Newson and Amir Berkane but did welcome back TJ Amass and Sean Bartlett who both returned onto the bench from injury. The two sides had met in the league this season already but with Regent 2-0 up at North Road there was a local power cut meaning the game was postponed after 51 minutes.
Regent started the game well and after 5 minutes took the lead with a good goal, good link up play between Ollie Canfer and Phil Kelly saw Phil tackled on the edge of the area but he was able to steer towards Ollie who played a pass into the run of Russell Malton, he struck a sweet strike to beat the keeper at the near post and make it 1-0. Regent were playing well and superb link up play between Phil Kelly and Jordan Heath nearly saw them increase the lead but for another very good last ditch by the Romford centre back. After 12 minutes Regent did increase their lead though, Ricky Griggs winning the ball before playing a pass to Michael Brothers who beat the defender before holding the ball up and releasing the overlapping Ricky Griggs, his cross was expertly met by Ollie Canfer and a clever deft flick beat the keeper again at his near post for 2-0. The home side were stunned by the start by Regent but gradually settled and had a couple of set piece opportunities which Regent defended well. Ricky Griggs was then positioned well at the back post to concede another corner after a very good cross whipped in from the left. The R's still looked the more likely and their neat interplay was causing the home side problems throughout the half, an inch perfect pass from Michael Brothers cleared the defender and was met by Phil Kelly but the keeper was too close and well off his line to deny Philbo. The home keeper did well again after 40 minutes when again he was off his line quickly to smother a shot from Jordan Heath after more good link up play. Romford tried to push on at the end of the half and were nearly caught by a quick break by Regent but a rush of blood saw Jordan Heath fire a shot wide from 25 yards when he had an overload out wide. HT 0-2
The second half began more evenly but without either side creating too many chances but Regent were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes when Jake Turner was sent off, he collected the ball just outside the edge of the area and turned but he overrun the ball and stretched to win it back, with both players committed the Referee who was lenient up to this point adjudged it was a straight red which looked harsh from my position. Webster made two changes shortly after as Regent looked to hold their shape. The home side couldn't break the R's down and despite having more possession their only effort on target was a stinging drive from 25 yards which Ryan Bedingfield handled really well. Webster made his final change and shortly after Phil Kelly worked a good chance on the break which was saved with a good strong hand at the near post to keep the score at 0-2. Into the fourth minute of injury time the home side finally broke down the R's with a well worked goal, the number 6 driving forward before playing a one, two on the edge of the area, despite a last ditch tackle by Josh Gould he was able to slide the ball into the net from 6 yards to make it 1-2. A further three minutes were played but Regent were able to hold out and earn a deserved place into the last eight of the Essex Senior Cup. FT 1-2
A very good first half from Regent proved the difference and they held their shape well to see out the game after the red card, the draw will be made by the end of November and hopefully Regent will finally secure a home tie.