Replay needed in the FA Trophy

Picture shows Russell Malton being congratulated after giving the R's the lead yesterday. Picture courtesy of Dave Buckingham DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Thamesmead Town for their FA Trophy tie yesterday. The home side have started the season well and currently sit 5th in the table with Regent currently 17th.
The tie ended all square so the teams will meet again at North Road on Tuesday to decide who will face Ramsgate of the Ryman South in the next round. Despite having more possession the home side struggled to create too many opportunities and a disciplined Regent made it five unbeaten as they head into the replay.
The home side started the better and pushed a tentative Regent back. A shot from distance was watched onto the roof of the net by Andrew Plummer in the Regent goal. The home side forced Plummer into his first save after 15 minutes when the number 11 worked space inside the right of the area but his shot was straight at Plummer. Regent settled and looked lively when Phil Kelly and Russell Malton linked up, the driving run by Phil Kelly taking him into the box where he went down but appearing to be clipped the Referee waved away the appeals midway through the half. The home side then saw another stinging effort from distance just go wide as they struggled to create any clear openings. Regent were looking dangerous mainly albeit on the break and Lamell Howell did well winning the ball back before passing to Russell Malton, he moved into space before bending his effort wide with Luke Read offering potentially a better opening to his right. On 41 minutes Regent took the lead, once again tenacious play from Lamell Howell who played into Russell Malton, his timed run took him into the area where he held off the defender before volleying his left footed shot beyond the keeper into the far corner for 0-1. The home side looked for a response before half time but Regent continued to look very organised and disciplined. HT 0-1
The home side made two changes and tinkered with their shake whilst Webster made one change at the break with Josh Mayhew replacing Keiron Baker. The home side pushing more men forward still found it hard to create openings and it was Regent who nearly added to their lead when Russell Malton did well out wide before delivering a wicked ball into the six yard area but no Regent player had gambled to tap home. The home side then forced four consecutive corners as they looked for an equaliser, the first corner was punched over his crossbar by Andrew Plummer. Another good delivery for the second corner saw Matt Cripps superbly header before a shot by the number 8 was deflected over for another corner. The third saw their best chance to date but they somehow scrambled it wide with two men at the back post, the Referee seeing a corner somehow with the fourth well defended and eventually cleared for a goal kick. The home keeper denied the R's an important second goal on 65 minutes, Josh Mayhew winning the ball wide right before cutting inside, space opened up as he beat a player and worked all the way into the box, the defender just putting pressure on his shot to rush it with the advancing keeper able to smother it to safety. On 71 minutes the home side got their equaliser, the left back afforded too much time to deliver a quality ball which the number 9 gleefully accepted and headed into the far corner for 1-1. Webster made his second change on 75 minutes with George Clarke replacing Phil Kelly. The game continued to ebb and flow with the home side still having much better possession but with time running out it was difficult to see either side creating anything clear cut. Webster made his last change with Harry Johnson replacing Russell Malton. The game was very stretched in the last 5 minutes on a hot day and it was Regent who had possibly the best chance of the last stages when Lamell Howell did well again before crossing into the box, Josh Mayhew getting to the ball but the defender arrived at the same time and was able to block his shot. FT 1-1
The two teams will meet again at Brightlingsea on Tuesday 7.45pm kick off.
#uptheR's