R's are downed

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed sixth placed Brentwood Town to North Road for their latest league game. The two sides battled hard for the three points which the away side secured with two first half goals. Webster made one change from the team that beat Cray Wanderers 0-3 on Tuesday with Ollie Canfer replacing George Clarke.
Regent started well and shaded the first 20 minutes moving the ball well and earning a few set pieces with Jake Holman going close with a header which was saved by the away keeper. Regent had to be aware though as the away side looked dangerous with their direct play to the very quick forward and on a couple of occasions just managed to clear the long ball in a swirling wind. Regent had a big appeal on 20 minutes with what looked an absolute stonewall penalty when the Brentwood player appeared to handle in the area but the Referee was unmoved. On 25 minutes the away side took the lead, a short corner with Regent not organising quickly enough and the cross was hung up and attacked with the header planted firmly in the top corner for 0-1. Regent looked to respond and created a chance almost immediately but Phil Kelly's turn and then shot saw him drag it wide from 8 yards. The away side increased their lead on 35 minutes working hard to win the ball in midfield before freeing the forward who's cross was superbly finished from 12 yards with the number 11 firing into the top corner for 0-2. Again Regent looked for a response as the game became very feisty and a driving Jake Gordon run saw him impeded twice on the edge of the area. The Referee deciding to book players for trying to get the ball back when being held onto rather than the offending players for the cynical fouls. The free-kick from Jake Gordon was deflected over after hitting the wall. HT 0-2
The away side sat and soaked up pressure and looked for the pace on the break similarly to the first half and Regent controlled this better but couldn't break down the dogged away side. Ben Newson turning well and hitting a shot from 20 yards which seemed to deceive the keeper who just managed to force the ball out for a corner. Shortly after another strike from distance was again saved by the keeper but spilled out where Ben Newson was first to the rebound but a very good defensive block kept the goal intact. Webster made his first change with Jordan Heath replacing Ollie Canfer. The away side nearly added to their lead when a long ball was met by the striker but Andrew Plummer was quick off his line and blocked the ball as the player looked to finish from the edge of the area. The away side then had an appeal for a penalty when the number 10 looked to go over the outstretched leg of Jake Holman but the Referee was again unmoved. Webster made his final two changes with TJ Amass and Warren Joseph entering the game. Jake Turner firing a shot from 25 yards wide after being first to the clearance from a corner but his effort was wide of the far post. Matt Cripps controlled the ball well with his chest from a TJ Amass ball but his shot was straight at the keeper as Regent looked for a way back into the game. A TJ Amass free kick from the left hand side was bent just wide of the far post in the final exchanges as the game finished with a defeat for the R's. FT 0-2