Regent hit for four

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to second placed Harlow Town for their latest league game and came away with a 4-0 defeat with the home side showing their quality in the final third. Webster made one change from the defeat who were victorious the previous week with Jake Turner replacing Jake Gordon and a slight change in shape for the R's.
Regent got off to the worst possible start and after early pressure were behind inside two minutes, a good bit of skill out wide from the right winger saw him beat Jake Gould before crossing to the opposite wide player who had managed to get on the blind side of Warren Joseph and he fired home for 1-0. Despite the poor start Regent did settle and a good run and shot from Phil Kelly saw the home keeper acrobatically tip over the bar a great effort from the Regent striker. After 12 minutes though Regent were further behind and again it was a poor goal to give away with a long ball forward finding the Harlow striker running through on goal and he shot into the bottom corner beyond Andrew Plummer for 2-0. Once again Regent looked to respond and Ricky Griggs who looked a threat going forward did well out wide before crossing to Phil Kelly but with the keeper grounded his shot was weak and straight into his arms. Ricky Griggs then hit an unstoppable volley beyond the keeper but the Referee had already awarded a free kick. On 39 minutes Harlow Town increased their lead with the left winger beating Warren Joseph to the ball and holding him off before crossing to the number 9 who once again made no mistake to fire home for 3-0. Just before the half time whistle a good run from Ben Newson was crudely ended and the resulting free kick was only pushed out by the keeper where Josh Gould prodded home but the assistant ruled Josh offside from the free kick although there seemed a second phase once the keeper has pushed out but never the less Regent were denied. HT 3-0
Regent looked to respond after the break and changed their shape and had good spells in the second half but were unable to get any reward with the home keeper again saving well from Phil Kelly. The home side still looked as though they had the better quality on the day in the final third and could have increased their lead but Andrew Plummer did well to save the strike from the number 11. The same player then missed a golden opportunity when he dragged his effort wide of the post from 8 yards. Ben Newson and Jake Turner were replaced by Jake Gordon and Jordan Heath midway through the half. Ricky Griggs who looked Regent's best attacking threat throughout made a good run forward but his strike from the edge of the area was tame and handled comfortably by the keeper. The home team added to their lead on 79 minutes when some more good wing play once again saw the cross tapped home by the number 6 to make it 4-0. Webster made his final change with Jake Holman returning from injury replacing Jake Gould as the game finished for a defeat. FT 4-0
Regent showed in spells and created chances but in truth the home side showed why they are fighting for the title and had that extra quality especially in the final third but for Regent in their first season at Ryman League level it was never going to be easy and the lads have had far more good days than bad days.