Regent gain another vital win

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to play Barkingside last night for their game in hand on most of the teams above them looking to keep their outside hopes of a play off place alive. A good first half display from Regent was enough to secure the three points although missed chances nearly cost Regent as the home side with a strong wind behind them pushed Regent right to the final whistle.
Webster made one change to the side that won on Saturday against Maldon & Tiptree with Ben Newson replacing Jake Gordon who dropped to the bench, Webster also welcomed back into the squad, Ollie Canfer and TJ Amass but was without Warren Joseph.
Regent started the game well and pushed the home side back in the opening minute with Jordan Heath denied a goal by a superb block before Phil Kelly fired over the bar. Regent had begun well and their pace, movement and work rate was causing the home side problems, another good attacking move saw the R's win a corner which was just scrambled clear by the home side. The away side themselves then won a corner and nearly took the lead through their first chance when the initial ball was won before the home striker fired over from eight yards on 8 minutes. Regent took the lead on 12 minutes when the initial corner was only cleared to the left side of the area, Ben Newson bending a first time cross into the back post where Josh Gould rose to head home and make it 0-1. Again Regent caused problems from a set piece but this time Josh Gould could only blaze over. The keeper was quick off his line to try and stop another Regent attack but he was only able to foul Phil Kelly on the right wing with the Referee awarding a free kick. Regent didn't have to wait long to increase their lead though and after 19 minutes made it 0-2. Josh Gould playing a diagonal ball into the run of Charlie Durling who did well to hold off the defender before half volleying over the advancing keeper for his first senior goal. Regent firmly in the ascendancy then saw Jordan Heath denied when his shot was just cleared off the line with the goalkeeper and defender able to scramble away. More positive forward play found Phil Kelly who jinked past defenders before bending an effort just wide of the far upright. The home side had a rare attack but were unable to work Andrew Plummer in the Regent goal overly with Plummer making a routine save low to his left. A great pass into Phil Kelly split the defence but with it seeming like he was about to bare down on goal he slipped and the home defender was able to recover to tackle him. One last chance for Regent to increase their lead when another attack found Ben Newson in on goal but his shot was comfortably saved by the home stopper. HT 0-2
The wind increased in the second half as the half went on and the home side grew into the game and nearly got a goal back after 60 minutes when a dipping volley from 30 yards clipped the top of the crossbar. Moment later another good effort from the home side clipped the bar as Regent were finding it much harder going. Sloppy play from Regent saw the home side cross into the box where the striker could only header weakly which Andrew Plummer saved comfortably. The R's nearly made the game safe on a rare attack when Jordan Heath was played in behind the high home line but again the advancing keeper did well to block. Webster made two changes as he looked to stem the home sides pressure with Ollie Canfer and George Clarke replacing Charlie Durling and Jordan Heath. Regent were looking threatening on the break although they lacked the cutting edge and the home side were pushing more men forward in their search for a way back into the game. Andrew Plummer made a superb save in the 80th minute with a flying save to deny a point blank header and just 2 minutes later a scramble saw Regent clear the ball off the line a couple of times with Andrew Plummer and Amir Berkane blocking before Josh Gould cleared. George Clarke and Phil Kelly broke in behind the lines but the shot was easily saved this time by the home keeper. On 87 minutes the home side did get a goal back with the striker latching onto a pass before slotting past the advancing Andrew Plummer for 1-2. TJ Amass replaced Phil Kelly as Webster looked to hold on to the three points and another break from George Clarke saw him in behind the home defence but his cross was just cleared to safety as Regent looked for a decisive third goal. The home side had another long shot from 30 yards which with the wind assistance helped it fly over the bar. Another break from Regent again came to nothing with George Clarke blazing his effort wide of the upright. With the home side still looking to throw bodies forward the Referee blew for full time after 5 minutes of injury time. FT 1-2
A hard earned three points for Regent who despite a lot of pressure in the second half deservedly held on against the resilient home team to see them now six points outside the play offs with just five games remaining.