Regent gain a point

Brightlingsea Regent went into a tough looking away game missing a few players and after three consecutive defeats were looking for some points. On the basis of the first five games Regent have competed well in all but one and with better finishing could and maybe should have more points. Hopefully lessons have been learnt and after this game Regent showed some great resilience and good team shape to collect a well earned point against a good home side.
Webster was without Terry Rymer, Phil Kelly and TJ Amass for the trip to Wroxham and the three starting players from the Heybridge Swifts game were replaced by Charlie Thompson, Jake Turner and Ben Newson who returned after illness. The Wroxham pitch was in great condition and the constant rain made for a great playing surface.
Regent made a great start and took the lead after 3 minutes, Ricky Griggs winning a corner and the resulting corner was met by Matt Cripps who headed back across goal where Ben Newson was and he volleyed home into the roof of the net for 0-1. The home side moved the ball well and Regent looked well organised as the home side found it hard to create any clear openings. Matt Cripps did well in the Regent area to block a shot after a good ball from wide from the Wroxham winger. Regent produced a good away display frustrating the home side and looking reasonably threatening on the break, the home skipper was booked after bringing down Russell Malton as he made a break through midfield. Luke Avenell was at full stretch to save from the home number 11 who had a stinging effort from the edge of the area. Wroxham forced a couple of corners but Luke Avenell claimed one at the second attempt and was fouled on the second occasion. HT 0-1
Regent came out too passive in the second half and the home side dominated proceedings forcing Regent back. Despite this Regent did have a great chance on the break when Ben Newson collected the ball and strode into the home half but with Russell Malton in support and two versus two the R's didn't make enough of the chance and were thwarted. Webster had to make a change after 55 minutes with Ben Newson unable to play on after only just recovering from illness, Jonah Gosling replacing Ben. The home side got a deserved equaliser after 56 minutes, the home winger collecting the ball before cutting inside and striking into the right corner despite a hand from Luke to make it 1-1. Regent were lucky just minutes later when a ball played into the box was met by the number 11 but his shot from 8 yards was fired over. On another rare break for Regent, Charlie Thompson made a good third man run but the home keeper was alert and did well to delay Charlie by forcing him wide with diving block and again the home defence were able to clear. More good play from the home side and a ball into the box found the home striker but Matt Cripps did well to block the strike and take the sting off the effort, Luke gathering the strike comfortably. The home side despite their possession found it hard to create many real clear openings and Regent dealt with balls in the box and forced most of the efforts to be from outside of the box. One of the final chances for the home side coming from an effort from outside the box that was bent wide. Jonah Gosling was played through in the final minutes but again the keeper was alert and just arrived at the ball in time to smother. FT 1-1
A good point for Regent considering the possession from the home side but despite their dominance with the ball the R's were resolute and well organised as they limited the home side to shots from distance and balls into the box which were dealt with mostly well.
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