Late goals for the R's

Two late goals secured three important points for Regent at North Road against 6th placed Dereham Town. With both sides just outside the play off places the three points were vitally important especially as Regent had played two games more than there Norfolk opponents. Webster made three changes from the 1-1 draw last week with Josh Gould, Sean Bartlett and Russell Malton all earning a recall to the starting line up. The away side had the better of the opening exchanges as they outworked the home side and their compact formation was allowing them to win and retain too much of the ball for Regent's liking. The away side forced two consecutive corners and Regent just managed to scramble both clear with telling blocks. After Regent themselves forced a corner it was the away side who nearly took the lead after a swift counter attack, Russell Malton was dispossessed midway inside the Dereham half, the fast break from the away side was met by Matt Cripps recovering well to hurry the shot which Andrew Plummer saved well low to his right. Andrew Plummer then did well to race off his line to deny the away side after a long direct ball. Despite their bright opening and having much the better of the opening half hour the away side didn't create anything of further note to test Andrew Plummer in the Regent goal. As the half wore on Regent had a better spell to end the half with a Ricky Griggs driving run and cross just failing to find anyone after a teasing cross. Ben Newson also did well out wide but again his cross was cleared by the away side with nobody from Regent able to get on the end of a good delivery. A corner right at the end of the half by Regent was eventually collected by Matt Cripps but his shot from 8 yards flew over the bar. HT 0-0
Regent started the half better and a stinging Jake Turner shot from the edge of the area was well handled by the Dereham number 1. The away side themselves then went close with a stinging effort of their own but Andrew Plummer got a very strong hand to save acrobatically in the top left hand corner. Matt Cripps and Ollie Canfer then made good blocks after a Dereham corner was only partially headed clear by Warren Joseph. Shortly after Russell Malton forced the away keeper into a good save after a mazy run saw his serving shot well saved from the edge of the area at the expense of a corner. Webster made two changes on 73 minutes with the game very evenly balanced now and this brought a change of shape as the R's looked for the win. A few minutes later another slight tweak with Russell Malton and Ben Newson switching. With the half fairly even it looked as though the game was heading for a draw but two goals in two minutes changed all that. Regent who were having their best spell in the game won a throw deep in the Dereham half and a Matt Cripps flick was collected by Ricky Griggs who had moved into a more forward position and he collected the ball before beating a defender and firing his shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. The away side looked for an immediate response but great tenacity from Amir Berkane and then Ollie Canfer saw Regent win the ball high up the pitch and after winning the ball Ollie Canfer had the composure to slide rule the pass into the on rushing Russell Malton who arrowed his shot into the far corner for 2-0. The away side looked for a response but the two quick goals had done the damage and as Webster made his final change with Jake Gould replacing Ben Newson, a free- kick from Ricky Griggs went whistling just past the far upright. FT 2-0
A well contested game by two evenly matched sides, on the day Regent secured the points as they were able to take those two late opportunities and secure a valuable three points after a good second half showing.