Regent through in Cup

Picture of Josh Mayhew celebrating the third Regent goal last night at Needham Market, picture courtesy of Dave Buckingham-DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent faced Needham Market in the second round of the Alan Turvey Cup last night looking to record another away win in the competition after beating AFC Sudbury and Soham Town Rangers in previous rounds. Needham, last seasons Ryman North Champions have had a tough start in the Premier Division but progressed through to round 2 of this cup beating Heybridge Swifts 5-0.
After falling behind Regent roared back with three well taken goals to progress and face another Premier Division side Enfield Town at home in the next round.
The home side settled quickly and dominated early proceedings. Needham deservedly took the lead on 10 minutes albeit with a little help from Regent, Josh Mayhew only heading his clearance into the box where Sam Newson reacted quickest and stepped onto the ball beyond the slipping Ricky Griggs and fired past Daniel Besson into the roof of the net for 1-0. The home side continued in the ascendancy and Michael Brothers delivered a fantastic cross which Regent just managed to clear at the far post. In confident mood the home side overplayed at the back on 17 minutes and good chasing down from Phil Kelly saw him nearly steal the ball from the home keeper who was just able to clear. Colchester United loanee Harrison then forced Daniel Beeson into a save low to his left from outside the area after a good run. Regent began to settle and their intensity was almost immediately rewarded when Luke Read won the ball and passed to Josh Mayhew, his perfectly weighted pass to Phil Kelly saw him stride onto the ball before unleashing a flashing half volley into the top corner to make it 1-1 on 23 minutes. Buoyed by this the game was much more even now and further demonstrated Regent's growing confidence when Josh Mayhew fired an effort from 25 yards just over the bar on 30 minutes. Josh Mayhew and Phil Kelly combined again on 32 minutes after Jason Dobbs won the initial ball and again Phil Kelly moved onto the ball and fired beyond the keeper to make it 1-2. The home side forced a couple of dangerous set pieces towards the end of the half but Daniel Beeson was dominant and claimed well before the second was headed clear. Just before the interval, Harrison was booked for dissent. HT 1-2
The home side forced Regent back in the early stages and weren't able to create anything until the number 9 Thomas was fouled by Josh Gould in the area with the Referee awarding a penalty on 52 minutes. The number 6 Whight for Needham stepping up but Daniel Beeson diving to his left was able to palm away for a corner to keep the R's lead intact. A real turning point for Regent when on 55 minutes Josh Mayhew had increased the lead, Jake Turner's quick free kick catching the Needham defence cold and Josh Mayhew lobbed the advancing keeper perfectly to make it 1-3. On the hour further problems for the home side as they were reduced to ten men when Harrison was booked for a late tackle on Warren Joseph in the Regent area earning his second yellow card. A triple substitution for the home side as they looked for a way back into the game, Daniel Beeson saving substitute Ingram's low drive. Webster made his first change on 67 minutes with Kieron Baker replacing Jason Dobbs. The home side looked for a way back but Regent held their shape well and Warren Joseph did superbly at the back post to deny a free header when he anticipated the second ball and cleared from virtually under the bar. Harry Jonson replaced George Clarke on 83 minutes and the hosts were down to nine men on 86 minutes when their skipper Morphew was unable to continue. Phil Kelly went close to a third goal late into the game when he broke through but on this occasion he bent his effort wide of the far post. The home side had one final chance which Daniel Beeson helped over his bar. FT 1-3
Another good result and performance for Regent who progress into the third round.