Regent just edged out

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Brentwood Town for their latest league game. Webster was without a few players due to various injuries and so a tough away game was made even harder as Regent looked to back up their back to back victories from the previous week.
Regent started the better of the two teams and created the first chances with Michael Brothers having two chances to get his shot off but he was unable to hit the target after good link up play. Ricky Griggs hit the woodwork after 9 minutes after good build up play with Michael Brothers and Amir Berkane, his shot from 20 yards deflecting off the defender and beating the keeper but clipping the bar and going for a corner. Within minutes Ricky Griggs again had a great chance from the edge of the area as Regent looked to capitalise on their good start, this time his strike from the edge of the area was wide of the target. The home team who went into the game on the back of 10 unbeaten games in the league took the lead after 16 minutes rather against the run of play, the number 7 was very direct and drove at the back four before crossing into the box where the home striker fired home to make it 1-0. The home team were now looking very dangerous with their pace on the break and Andrew Plummer in the Regent goal did well to save from the number 7 from inside the box. Another break from the home side saw the number 9 with time in the box and Andrew Plummer again saved well before Regent cleared to safety. Sean Bartlett had to be replaced after injury and the shuffle in personnel allowed Regent to gain more solidity and begin to play through midfield again but in large the threat they'd had at the start of the game was less so and Ricky Griggs again was closest but his header was comfortably saved at the back post. HT 1-0
The home team had slightly the better of the early exchanges and again Andrew Plummer did well to get a strong hand on a shot to palm away from the bottom corner. Brentwood did increase their lead after 58 minutes though when a corner was played into the box, the clearance was collected by the number 6 who controlled before unleashing a pearler into the top corner from 20 yards to make it 2-0. Just as it looked Regent had a massive mountain to climb the home side were reduced to 10 men, the home number 10 reacting badly after 65 minutes and raising his hands to Matt Cripps. I could understand his frustration as the decision on the initial foul was wrong by the Referee who had made several indifferent decisions throughout with a foul from behind no longer a yellow card in this game. Regent were dealt a blow however within minutes when Amir Berkane was unable to continue and replaced by Jake Phillips. The home side dropped back in banks and made it hard for Regent to create anything despite the R's changing their shape. The home number 9 was still a threat and went close to finishing the game but his shot this time was just wide of the upright. As it looked like Regent were struggling to break down the home side they got a goal to give them hope after 75 minutes, two of the under 18' combining with Jake Phillips crossing to Charlie Durling, his header fell to Ricky Griggs who's shot squirmed in past the keeper to make it 2-1. Regent again were frustrated by the Referee when a shot from the edge of the box struck a home defenders arm which was across his chest but the Referee adjudged this a natural position for his arm to be in. With injury time being played Regent had their last chance as a ball into the box was met by Josh Gould who's glancing harder was just wide of the far post. FT 2-1
A tough game for the R's who were well backed by the Ultra's but fourth placed Brentwood continued their good run as they held on for the three points against the R's who weren't at their best but battled hard all the way to gain a result.