Draw means replay on Tuesday in the FA Cup

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Witham Town for their preliminary round tie in the FA Cup. Regent were without the unavailable Josh Mayhew and Luke Read but did welcome back Harry Johnson into the squad. The home side started the game well and pushed Regent back in the early stages. The home team went close in the opening five minutes but Matt Cripps did well to deny with a timely block in the area. Regent forced a couple of set piece opportunities with Josh Gould seemingly bundled over for one of the said set piece with the Referee waving the appeals away. Sharp play down the left saw the 6 work free inside the area but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. Josh Gould receiving a harsh booking on 30 minutes when it looked as though he'd won the ball. The free kick was chipped into the area with the dropping ball shot wide. The 7 for the home side did well to create a chance from a fast break but Regent were just able to get pressure on the ball. Towards the end of the half Regent finally got some telling possession and Jake Gordon saw his rasping shot from 25 yards just over the angle of post and bar before another good move saw Phil Kelly and George Clarke combine but the cross, shot was just wide of the far post without any telling touch. HT 0-0
Regent started the second half better and really should have done better when a three on one chance arose after a break but somehow they failed to take advantage and work the keeper. The home side then from a set piece saw a header just fly over the bar. Regent made their first change on 61 minutes with Brendon Heath replacing Luke Milbourne. A good run from Ricky Griggs found Russell Malton who'd picked up a good position but he could only fire his shot wide. Regent took the lead on 64 minutes, a quick corner played to Jake Gordon who moved into the area before bending a great strike into the far corner for 0-1. A good move down the Regent right saw a cross deflected just cleared by the defender and into the side netting for a corner. The home side made changes as they looked for an equaliser and on 73 minutes it arrived. Quick play down the right which Regent failed to deal with and the cross was just flicked in beyond Andrew Plummer before the substitute made sure and fired over the line for 1-1. Lamell Howell replaced George Clarke a minute later. The home side threatening with set pieces and Andrew Plummer relieving pressure with a great claim to calm the R's. Jake Gordon was then denied a second goal when through on goal his chipped effort on the bounce was just clawed into his hands by the advancing keeper. Harry Johnson replaced Russell Malton on 80 minutes with the home side looking to gain the win and forcing a couple of set piece chances but Regent defended well to see the tie go into a replay. FT 1-1
The home side had the better control in the game but a replay was a fair outcome in my opinion with neither side really creating enough to deserve a win and the two sides will go at it again at North Road on Tuesday, 7.45pm kick off.