Regent bow out on pens

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Ryman Premier Division Billericay Town for their Essex Senior Cup quarter-final tie and at the fourth time of asking after the pitch had failed previous pitch inspections. The pitch still had a couple of areas that were of concern but generally the pitch wasn't too bad and gladly finally the two teams got to play and try and book a place in the last four. The home side finally claimed their place after a penalty shoot out but Regent can be very pleased with their performance where they more than matched their premier division opponents and played very well on a sometimes challenging pitch.
The home side started better and were clearly more physical at the beginning of the game which Regent eventually did get to grips with after the initial opening minutes. The home side created the first chance after 8 minutes when a corner was flighted well and Jake Gould did superbly well to clear off the line to deny the home side. Regent began to settle and Russell Malton forced the keeper into a good save with a great strike from 30 yards which the big keeper palmed over. Midway through the half it looked like Regent had and should have taken the lead when Ollie Canfer's deft flick found the bottom corner from Josh Gould's throw, the Referee at first awarding the goal before then changing his mind once he'd spoken to the assistant who it must be said wasn't flagging? Despite this Regent continued to play well and another set piece caused problems in the home defence but Russell Malton's snap shot was first met by Ben Newson and then Sean Bartlett but neither could get a heavy enough touch to force home. The home side were being forced into largely breakaways due to Regent's possession but a good break down the left side forced Andrew Plummer into a good save to his right. From the resulting corner he punched well under heavy pressure to clear his lines. The home side took the lead on 36 minutes slightly against the run of play when a soft free kick awarded to the home side saw another good delivery in the Regent box with the Billericay player first to the ball heading past a stranded Andrew Plummer to make it 1-0. Despite this blow Regent continued to play neat possession football although it was the home side who nearly added to their lead when a shot from the number 8 on the edge of the area was just wide of the far post. HT 1-0
The home side started the half well and were working harder to deny the R's space and time and forced Regent back. Their striker had a great chance to increase their lead but after a good turn his shot was high and wild over the bar. Ricky Griggs then recovered well to thwart a home attack with Matt Cripps making a great blocking tackle to aid Ricky. Regent once again began to control the tempo better without creating anything of note with Webster making his first change, Jordan Heath replacing Sean Bartlett and the home side made a substitution midway through the half which with a change in shape saw them begin to dominate. Regent began to be caught on the break and Webster made his second change and also to counter the home sides change. The change had the affect he hoped for and Regent created two great chances in quick succession with Ben Newson receiving a pass in behind the back line but his left footed shot was just wide of the far post. Moments later he finished with aplomb but he was adjudged offside. Ricky Griggs then saw his shot from 8 yards somehow cleared off the line with Ricky adamant it was over the line but the Referee waved this appeal away. Webster made his final change with Jake Holman replacing Russell Malton and in the 89th minute Holman got Regent a deserved equaliser, Ricky Griggs brought down after a driving run, Ricky picking himself up to deliver a great ball in which Jake Holman met with a thunderous header which flew into the stantion for 1-1. The home side straight from the restart nearly got a winner when a direct ball was met by the home player who saw his shot fly inches wide. FT 1-1
Penalties then took place with Regent missing their first, third and fifth penalties, despite Andrew Plummer saving the second Billericay penalty it wasn't enough and the home side won 3-2 to book their place in the last 4.
A really good performance against a strong experienced home side by Regent. Good luck to Billericay Town for the remainder of their season and their Senior Cup semi-final tie.