Regent Win 3rd Friendly

Brightlingsea Regent traveled to Suffolk to face Thurlow Nunn opposition in Long Melford in their third pre-season friendly.

It was the hosts Long Melford who had the best of the early chances, when in around the third minute, a shot wide right of the area was struck with venom at the Regent goal with Nick Punter rising to push over the bar.

The R's however took the lead after 17 minutes, when summer signing Kevin Coyle wriggled free to find space on the byline, he cut inside and let go a peach of an effort into the top corner of the net. Giving the Melford keeper no chance. 0-1

Regent doubled their lead just before the break, when Rob Harvey, playing on the right side, floated in a superb corner to find the arriving head of Josh Gould to nod home the second. HT 0-2

The break saw Regent make 5 changes, with the next opportunity falling to substitute Charlie Lindoe, who worked a good chance for himself inside the box and got an effort on goal but the Melford keeper was equal to it.

With 76 minutes on the clock, Long Melford got themselves back into the match, when the villagers came forward, a 50/50 ball was won by an attacker who was impeded late by Warren Joseph with the Referee pointing straight to the spot. Melford made no mistake. 1-2

Melford's goal was almost cancelled out immediately. When Phil Kelly centred, the ball bounced around the box before eventually being knocked home by Shaun Hobbins at the near post. 1-3

Almost a minute after the game restarted, the R's added a forth. Matt Cripps won possession back in midfield, he looked up and spotted the run of Billy Hunt who got himself within a sight of goal and made no mistake converting past the on rushing goalkeeper. 1-4

Within the dying minutes Regent added a fifth, with more good wide play from Rob Harvey, he got down the right hand side and crossed into the area where a Melford defender was on hand to take the ball away from the foot of Charlie Lindoe with his fist. The Ref awarded the penalty and Lindoe himself got the opportunity to step up and convert. FT 1-5

More minutes in the bank for the R's as they continue their progression through pre-season. Next up is FC Clacton on Monday at The Taydal Stadium, kick off 7pm