Gordon shines at Cray

Brightlingsea Regent made the long midweek trip to Cray Wanderers for their latest league game in a game that had been rescheduled way back from November. Webster made two changes to the team that beat Needham Market in their last game on February 14th with Jake Turner replacing Ollie Canfer and Jake Gordon making his first start replacing Jordan Heath.
The home side started well and worked hard to deny Regent any space and were pushing men forward to get off to a good start. They forced an early corner with Andrew Plummer saving the header comfortably. Their enthusiasm was causing Regent problems as they put balls into the box and generally worked hard to make the opening stages uncomfortable but gradually the R's did settle and George Clarke should have done better with a free header from a Regent corner. The home side did well when working the ball out wide but Andrew Plummer was well positioned to palm the header over the Regent bar at the expense of a corner. Regent were beginning to look dangerous when they went forward as the game became more and more stretched as the half went on and a dangerous Phil Kelly run was ended when he held on to the ball too long, Ricky Griggs doing well to release Jake Gordon after a driving run too but the home defence were able to clear. After 30 minutes however Regent did find the quality they were looking for in the final third, Phil Kelly doing well out wide to turn the defender with some good tekkers before passing to Ben Newson, who's smart turn worked himself just enough room to fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner for 0-1. Regent nearly increased their lead immediately when George Clarke was found just to the right side of the 6 yard box but his strike thudded against the crossbar. The home side looking for an equaliser continued to come forward and after a few set pieces were denied with a good block from Jake Holman after a strike from inside the area. HT 0-1
Regent came out better in the second half and gained a stronger grip on the game and should have increased their lead in the opening stages, Ben Newson denied when through on goal after good interplay in midfield but the advancing keeper saved well with his legs. Just moments later Ben Newson was again denied but this time a superb block from the defender stopped his left footed goal bound effort. Regent then had two goals disallowed, the first effort was from a free kick, the away side playing a very risky offside routine with Matt Cripps beating the trap but being denied by the keeper from 8 yards before Jake Holman was ruled offside after burying the rebound. Phil Kelly then finished well when through on goal but once again the flag was raised to deny the R's. The home side were finding it much harder to find any control in the half but the home striker did well to work an opening inside the penalty box but could only toe poke his effort wide of the side netting. The home keeper was keeping Cray in the game and again denied Regent when he tipped over a shot by Jake Gordon from 20 yards as the youngster began to threaten the home side with direct running. After 72 minutes Regent were dealt a blow, Ben Newson sliding a pass into the run of George Clarke but his shot was again well smothered by the advancing keepers who inadvertently followed through on George meaning Webster was forced to make his first change with Ollie Canfer replacing the injured George Clarke. The home side were reduced to ten men on 75 minutes when an over the top tackle saw the home player sent off. Regent were now able to move the ball and threaten the home side even more and got a deserved second goal on 82 minutes, a corner was cleared to the edge of the area and a lovely first time pass from Jake Turner returned the ball to Ricky Griggs, his perfectly flighted cross was met with an equally good header from Phil Kelly for 0-2 on 82 minutes. Webster made his second change with Jordan Heath replacing Phil Kelly and Regent further added to their lead, Ricky Griggs driving forward and forcing the keeper into another good save, Jake Gordon was first to the rebound and fired home for 0-3. Webster made his final change with TJ Amass replacing Ricky Griggs and Jordan Heath and Jake Gordon both forced the keeper into another good save as Regent finished the game strongly. FT 0-3
A solid win as Regent earned three points against a hard working home side with a superb second half display.
To read another version of the report courtesy of the Kent Sports online click on the link
http://www.kentsportsnews.com/cray-wanderers-0-3-brightlingsea-regent-24-02-2015/