Regent share a point at the Swifts

Brightlingsea Regent played their latest league game with a midweek trip to Heybridge Swifts. After both sides started the season poorly both teams have improved so much so with Regent going into the game 8th in the table and hosts Swifts now fairly clear of the relegation places having just beaten league leaders Harlow Town. Webster kept faith with the side who had beaten Cheshunt 5-1 on Saturday but did welcome Phil Kelly and TJ Amass back into the squad with Phil returning after 5 weeks away.
Regent started the game rather sluggishly on a bitterly cold night but despite this created the best opportunity after 13 minutes, a direct ball from Matt Cripps saw Ben Newson in on goal but his shot was weak and dragged wide. The home side tried their luck from distance and a speculative effort was deflected past Andrew Plummer in goal but the striker was well offside when it hit him so the goal was chalked off. Both teams huffed and puffed but a typical derby game saw lots of enthusiasm but little quality at times with both teams doing well to deny the other space. Heybridge won a corner but Andrew Plummer did well to claim. After 39 minutes Regent took the lead, Russell Malton driving through midfield before playing a well weighted pass into the run of Ben Newson who this time made no mistake to slide under the advancing keeper for 0-1. Heybridge forced a corner before the end of the half but once again Andrew Plummer claimed convincingly. A little controversy on the strike of half time with Ben Newson pushed off the ball and into the wall by the away dugout which didn't go down to well with the R's. HT 0-1
Regent started the half much better and forced the home side back, Russell Malton seeing his effort just wide of the far post before another run by Malton saw him play the ball into Ben Newson who was very harshly ruled offside, the first of many tight decisions in the second half. On 54 minutes the home side a little against the run of play scored an equaliser, a long free kick was headed down where the number 4 was, he volleyed into the bottom corner for 1-1. Regent responded well and Russell Malton saw a strike from distance this time cannon off a defender for a corner, from the resulting corner Matt Cripps mistimed his free header before the home team scrambled clear. Back in the ascendancy Jordan Heath was brought down after more good work from Russell Malton and Ben Newson. The Referee judging the incident was inches outside the box and the the Swifts player wasn't the last man so only awarding a yellow card. Russell Malton placing the free kick wide of the upright. Heybridge Swifts almost had a carbon copy of the goal but this time the finish was just wide of the post. Webster made his first change with the returning Phil Kelly coming on for Amir Berkane and a change in shape for the R's. After 75 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men, Jake Gould handling on the half way line after stumbling and the number 9 reacted when he tried to grab the ball, a bit of handbags followed with the Referee showing the number 9 a red card. The free kick was cleared by Regent and the R's pushed forward as they looked to find a winner. Webster made his last two changes and despite having the better of possession Regent didn't create anything of note and into stoppage time the home side were reduced to 9 men after a foul on Ben Newson saw a second yellow card awarded. The home side nearly caught Regent on the break with the number 7 having his shot blocked from 20 yards before another break saw the cross from the left just evade the Swifts number 8. FT 1-1
With both teams coming into the game on good recent runs it was probably a predictable result and despite having the slightly better of the chances for Regent a fair result which both teams worked hard for.