Brothers brace as Regent bounce back

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Gt Wakering Rovers to North Road for an important game between two promoted sides. Regent had a tough week after a disappointing performance last week and had worked hard during the week to react positively and Gt Wakering were coming into the game off the back of two wins on the bounce in the league which had seen them climb above Regent. Webster was without Andrew Plummer who was ruled out with a thigh injury and welcomed Ryan Bedingfield back in between the sticks, he also had Phil Kelly and Amir Berkane available after missing last week and both of these returned to the starting line up as Webster made four changes from the previous game with Jordan Heath also given a first start.
Both teams started well and the away side showed early promise with great pace down both wings. The number 7 making a positive run in the early stages which found him in the box but Regent were just able to clear for a corner. The away side having scored goals from three set pieces last weekend showed why with good delivery at every opportunity but Ryan Bedingfield did well to punch to safety under pressure. Despite both sides showing promise going forward there were no real clear chances, the away side appealed for a penalty after a tackle by Ben Newson which the Referee waved away. Regent took the lead after 28 minutes with some great link up play down the left hand side, Ollie Canfer and Ben Newson combining before finding Jordan Heath who passed into the run of Michael Brothers and he strode onto the ball before shooting from the edge of the area, his shot took a deflection and wrong footed the keeper to make it 1-0. The away side looked to respond and forced another set piece but once again Regent stood strong and Ryan Bedingfield was positive to clear. More good link up play by Regent forced a corner for the home side and a silly foul by the Wakering defender allowed Regent a great chance to increase their lead. A blatant push on Josh Gould was spotted by the Referee and Ben Newson stepped up to make it 2-0. his shot thumping against the underside of the bar with the assistant in a great position to award the goal. Regent smelling blood increased their lead just three minutes later and made it three goals in nine minutes, Josh Gould powerfully winning a header which held up in the wind slightly, the away keeper started to come off his line before stopping with Phil Kelly running onto the ball and chipping the slightly stranded keeper to make it 3-0. Phil Kelly nearly added a second just moments later but the defender did well to block. The away side settled slightly and began to pose a threat again but without really testing Ryan Bedingfield. HT 3-0
The away side came out firing and pushed back Regent who were a little sloppy at times in possession but once again dealt with the threat that Wakering posed at set pieces. A long range strike from the away side was comfortably handled by Ryan Bedingfield. Jordan Heath was then played through by Phil Kelly, Jordan holding off the centre back but chipping his effort just wide. As it looked like Regent had weathered the early storm they conceded a sloppy goal, another set piece was cleared to the edge of the area but dwelling on the ball allowed Gt Wakering to win the ball back and a well placed but rather weak shot found its way into the far bottom corner to make it 3-1. The game became very open and a little too open for Webster's liking and he made his first change after 67 minutes as Phil Kelly had been brought down on the edge of the area after a positive run, Jake Turner replacing Jordan Heath. From the resulting free-kick, Michael Brothers bent a stunning shot round the wall to make it 4-1, giving the keeper no chance and Regent a little more comfort. Webster made his final two changes shortly after with Warren Joseph and Russell Malton both coming on and despite the away side still pushing to claw a way back it was Regent who created the better openings finding the gaps that the away side left as they tried to find a way back. Russell Malton with the best of these chances but again a chipped effort was wide of the keepers far post. FT 4-1
A good result for Regent after a tough week and a great way to respond, a result which moves Regent up to 16th in the table.