Happy New Year for the R's

Brightlingsea Regent began 2015 with a home game against 3rd placed Wroxham on New Years Day. The two sides had shared a point in August in the reverse fixture with Regent defending manfully on the day to secure the point but on this day Regent ran out worthy winners with two first half goals to continue their fine run and deservedly adding three more points and climbing to 7th in the league table. The Yachtsman struggled to deal with the R's intensity especially in the first half of the game. Webster had a full squad available with the exception of pictured Phil Kelly who is now travelling in January so unavailable for the whole month, Jake Turner returned to the starting line up in place of Phil in the one change from Boxing Day.
The first ten minutes were fairly even with both sides moving the ball well. The Regent groundsman Stitch had done a great job on the pitch which was looking vastly improved from the last home game against Redbridge. Russell Malton created the first chance for Regent when he hung up a good cross but with the away side struggling to deal with it Regent couldn't get anyone in at the back post to take advantage. After an even start Regent were beginning to apply more pressure on the away side in possession and after 20 minutes took the lead. Amir Berkane was first to a clearance on the edge of the visitors area and he drove into the box before being tripped for a penalty, Ben Newson sending the keeper the wrong way for 1-0.
Ben Newson looked as though he'd added a second just moments after when he headed in a cross at the second attempt but the Referee awarded a very soft looking free-kick for a foul against Ben who looked as though he'd just risen earlier than the defender. Wroxham then had a quick break with the number 11 playing a pass into the number 7 who had found space but he passed up the chance to equalise when he dragged his shot wide from 18 yards. A big shout for a penalty was then turned down for the away side and never the less the Referee had brought back play for a earlier offside. On 37 minutes the R's made it 2-0 when their intensity off the ball was further rewarded, JT applying pressure high up the pitch to win the ball and once again as it looked like the away side had been able to clear, Jordan Heath was the first to react in the box and he fired his shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. The away side were looking a little disorganised now and Amir Berkane nearly added a third but his shot from 8 yards was deflected wide when it looked to be heading in. HT 2-0
The away side came out strong at the beginning or the second half and the break had really come at the wrong time for Regent but after the initial 10 minutes Regent controlled the half and were able to keep Wroxham at bay and create the better opportunities. A good run and cross from the number 7 was cleared by Regent just at the back post as they looked for an equaliser and a strong run was ended by Matt Cripps who was rather harshly awarded a yellow card. The resulting free kick was fired over Andrew Plummer's bar as he looked to collected a fourth consecutive clean sheet. Russell Malton was denied by the away keeper who did well to smother his shot after good football from Regent and he then advanced further off his line to block Ricky Griggs and clear for a throw. Ollie Canfer seeing a similar chance to his winner at AFC Sudbury on Boxing Day but this time he was unable to control his volley. Webster made changes to the side and the R's held out comfortably to record another fine win and restrict a strong attacking side to very little chances as they moved up to 7th in the table. FT 2-0