Regent hold the new league leaders

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed second placed Harlow Town to North Road for their latest league game. The away side knowing a draw or a win would take them top of the table whilst Regent were wanting to back up their midweek victory at Maldon & Tiptree. In the end the sides both had to settle for a point and a fair result on the balance of play on a hot September afternoon with both sides backed by superb supporters.
The away side started the game very positively and tried an audacious effort almost from kick off with the skippers effort only narrowly wide. The Harlow left back then got high in the Regent half and his shot just flashed past the far post. Regent gradually settled and driving runs from Russell Malton was unsettling the away defence but his shot was easily cleared from the front post area. Josh Gould was first to a corner for Regent but his header was just wide. Russell Malton again collected a pass from Ricky Griggs and drove at the Harlow defence,he beat the defence but cutting back inside he could only fire his shot into the side netting. Luke Milbourne was forced off after 35 minutes when he pulled his hamstring after stretching for a ball in midfield and the away side took full advantage of the man advantage, the ball finding it's way out to the number 16, Billy Jones himself an early change after injury early in the game forced the away side into a change. He collected the ball before cutting inside and firing his 20 yard strike into the bottom corner just beyond the despairing drive of Luke Avenell to make it 0-1. TJ Amass came on to replace Luke Milbourne but the away side were very much in the ascendancy now and Billy Jones again went close with a strike from 20 yards but Luke Avenell saved at the expense of a corner. The resulting corner was just scrambled clear, Amir Berkane on the line managing to get his head on the goal bound header and force against the bar before Jake Gould blocked and then cleared the follow up. HT 0-1
Webster made a slight change to Regent but the away side continued to push on after their goal and Luke Avenell did well to palm away another goal bound header. Regent were working hard to restrict the away side and Jake Turner through doing this created the equaliser, he won the ball before showing good feet and finding Phil Kelly with a diagonal ball, Phil wrestled with the defender and was able to hold him off before flashing his shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. It was fairly even with both sides working hard to restrict the other team but whilst the away side carried a threat so to did Regent with Russell Malton and Phil Kelly looking like they may be able to get in behind the away defence. A direct run from Phil Kelly on a counter attack saw him down the Harlow left and his cross found Russell Malton but on the run his shot was flashed over the bar. The Harlow number 5 also saw his shot over the bar when his shot from 25 yards had Luke Avenell scrambling across his goal. Harlow shortly after had a corner which the number 8 picked up on the edge of the area but Regent defended it well and cleared to safety. Luke Avenell was quick off his line to save from the number 9 but he was flagged offside after a slide rule pass. The away side then had an optimistic shout for handball in the penalty area but the Referee waved these appeals rightfully away. Regent had the last chance of the game when another incisive break saw Ben Newson wide left and cutting into the box but he could only skew his shot wide of the near post. FT 1-1
A good game with both sides working hard in front of a good crowd who made a great atmosphere throughout.