Three goals and three points for the R's

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Maldon & Tiptree for their latest league game looking to get some points on the board to back up their improving performances. The team was helped by the return of Phil Kelly and Jake Gould returning from suspension and both returning to the starting line up and Jake Holman and Warren Joseph also returned to the squad after missing the weekends game and were named on the bench. Both teams were desperate for the points and the points gained by Regent after the game saw them leap frog Maldon & Tiptree and climb to 18th in the table. A fast game with both sides working very hard off the ball but Regent were more clinical on the night.
Both teams started the game at a good pace and neither side were afforded too much time on the ball as both sides looked for a fast start. Regent forced an early corner and showed their first sign of causing the home side some problems with these but the Jammers were just able to clear. The home side had their first shooting chance after 4 minutes winning the ball high after a direct pass but the shot was flashed wide. Regent took the lead after 10 minutes, Jake Gould reacting quickest to win the ball before passing into a well timed run from Ben Newson who composed himself well before firing his shot across the keeper to make it 0-1. Almost immediately Regent nearly increased their lead but after another set piece Russell Malton was inches away from getting a touch on the ball that Matt Cripps had flicked on as it flashed across the goal. Not to be denied though Russell Malton did increase Regent's lead after 22 minutes, another ball was not cleared by the home defence and this time Russell Malton collected the ball before firing home from 8 yards to make it 0-2. The home side looked for a response and a couple of very good set pieces caused big problems in the Regent box but first Luke Avenell did well to deny before Matt Cripps blocked superbly on the line. Regent counter attacked from this effort and with an overload in the Maldon area tried to beat a second defender but was tackled as he looked to shoot. Maldon again forced a couple of set pieces but Regent defended well and on the second corner a header under pressure was headed well over. HT 0-2
A fired up home team pushed lots of men forward as they looked to get back into the game but despite having more possession in the game they found it hard to break a resolute Regent down, Regent themselves though were guilty of not keeping the ball better and exploiting the gaps that were left. The number 10 having their best effort but he was unable to work Luke Avenell in the Regent goal. An innocuous ball nearly saw the home side get a goal back after 63 minutes, Luke Avenell came to the edge of his area and his volleyed clearance was charged down by the winger but he somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy. Webster made his first change after 65 minutes with Charlie Durling replacing Luke Milbourne and a slight change in the R's shape. Regent began to now exploit the space better that the home side were leaving as they tried to find a way back and Phil Kelly did well with a driving run but his shot was just over the bar, shortly after another driving run from Phil Kelly saw his rasping shot from 25 yards well saved by the home keeper. On 81 minutes Regent got a third, Jake Turner finding Russell Malton with a good pass, Russell holding off the defender before cutting inside and bending the ball beyond the keeper to make it 0-3. Webster made his last two changes with Sean Bartlett firstly replacing Ben Newson before Jake Holman replaced Russell Malton just minutes later. Sean Bartlett nearly added a fourth when he raced through to meet a pass but his chip over the advancing keeper was just wide off the far post. FT 0-3
A good result for the R's who were superbly supported by the Ultra's and had a very good backing in the crowd cheering the lads to a vital three points.