Regent & Witham in Stalemate

Brightlingsea Regent hosted their first home pre-season friendly of the season, in fact, it was their first home match of 2021 despite it being July!

The game as a whole saw very little in the way of quality in front of goal from either team.

The R’s had their first real chance of the half with a quarter of an hour on the clock, a fine through ball from Harry McDonald got Max Booth free on the right, he then knocked it past the goalkeeper but closing the angle on goal for himself to shoot, he then crossed but was unable for supply any Regent shirt in the box.

Witham then had their best spell of the game but were unable to break the deadlock. Firstly, a short hit pass saw Witham’s 14 baring down on goal but his fierce strike was off target. Shortly after Witham’s 9 bullied past Zach Smith-Walter but his effort was well saved by an outstretched leg of the Trialist Keeper!

Regent did respond on the stroke of half-time with a couple of efforts themselves. First, Lewis Byrne-Hewitt forced a fine save from a right footed volley that had been neatly setup by Charlie Durling. Following that, Max Booth got in behind and volleyed high after breaking Witham’s back line. HT 0-0

The second half saw Austin make 8 changes to the team, but Witham were happy to sit back and let Regent have possession.

On the hour mark, Regent’s Trialist (B) had the best chance of the half, when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box after some neat build up play, but he could only scuff wide!

Regent could only resort to long range efforts as the visitors sat tight, but offered very little themselves.

The match fizzled out a goalless draw and Witham certainly seemed pleased with their night’s work. FT 0-0

A good work out for Regent who dominated possession and play but were unable to find the breakthrough. Plenty for the staff to work on in training over the coming weeks, but next up, we travel to AFC Sudbury this Saturday as we continue to prepare.

1st Half Team

Trialist (A), Smith-Walter, Trialist (B), Durling, Ribchester (c), Thompson, McDonald, Trialist (C), Byrne-Hewitt, Booth, Trialist (D)

2nd Half Team:

Trialist (A), Fraser-Robinson, Trialist (B), Bennett (c), Trialist (E), Trialist (F), Barnett, Gilbert, Booth, Trialist (G), Crisell