Regent lose in close cup encounter......

We entertained Stanway rovers today in The Fa Vase prelim round. With Philbo and coley still on holiday we were still left with a few selection headaches but none the less pretty much started the way we did Wednesday.

We started the game fairly poorly to be honest and spent much of the first half defending as we failed to get to grips with there pace, fitness, strength and looked generally in ore of them.
We did ok in patchs trying to keep the ball but they set about us and didnt allow us to play.
They created a few minor chances but took the lead around 30 minutes when Centre half Hughes lost the flight of the ball and let there striker Cheeksy get in behind, Kev got back though and tried to see the ball out, but good persistence from Cheeksy got a solid strike away from almost the byline and found its way in at Griggsy near post and leave s 1-0 down.

We got in at half time and felt we were still very much in the cup tie with a good performance we could turn the tie around.

Second half we were a completely different side and started much better, we made an early change in the way of schofield coming off for Luke Hughes who had an instant impact holding the balll up well and stopping Al Drennan having free headers.

As the game developed we grew into it and played some good football. In a 10 minute spell the game was then decided. First Rymer was played in after a superb ball and he found himself in 1 on 1 on the right hand side inside the 18 yard box, but dwelled on the ball and shot straight at the keeper, shortly after a good cross at the near post was met by sub HUghes who headed just wide from the 6 yard line and then immediately after Beardo got in down the right and smashed a superb ball into the box which just evaded Hughes at the far post (reminiscent of Gazza Euro 96).
Stanway almost immediately caught us on the break though and got in down the right, there striker smashed a ball into the box which Griggsy could only parry and fell kindly to there player who tapped in from a yard.

So the game finished 2-0 and looking at it objectively i think we equipped ourselves well against a side who are well established in the Ridgeons Premier for a number of years and have a much bigger wage bill than we could ever dream of.
Stanway were clearly the better side but had we have taken one of those chances the game may have been slightly more interesting.

Some good battling performances from the likes of Man of the match Morley who worked tirelessly with Sam Holman who unfortunatley had to come off injured after a wayward elbow snapped his front tooth in half, and although captain of the day Kev Hughes will be dissapointed with the first goal i think the back 4 equipped themselves well against an impressive front 2 in the shape of Cheeksy and Maltman.

Highlights of the day included powerful alan turning up on his bike of love with his respected green tank top, Pitty's little jig everytime Stanway went close (lightning quick feet) Pitty putting his finger over his mouth to silence the Regent bench hahahahahahahahaha and Jans new addition to each game with the pre match Pasta, Deeeccent Jan!

Write the theme tune, sing the theme tune.........