Turner and Kelly at the double

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Maldon & Tiptree to North Road for their latest league game and were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat last weekend. Webster was without Ollie Canfer and TJ Amass for the game and made four changes from the defeat and handed youngster Charlie Durling his second start of the season. On a difficult pitch with blustery conditions Regent dealt with the conditions better and their work rate and desire earned them the win to keep their slim hopes of the play offs alive.
Regent had the better of the first half but despite this there weren't a great deal of chances created with both sides finding it hard in the conditions. Tenacious play from Jake Turner saw him win the ball just outside the area but his left footed shot was just wide of the far post. After 19 minutes though Regent did take the lead, Ricky Griggs driving forward before being tackled with the ball collected by Jordan Heath who was then fouled. Jake Turner taking the free kick from 25 yards and stinging it into the far corner for a great goal to make it 1-0, the away team complaining that the kick had been moved forward 5 yards but either way a really great strike. The away keeper then denied Regent back peddling to tip over a cross from Ricky Griggs that had caught the wind. Regent were building pressure and a corner was only partially cleared and Matt Cripps was first to the ball but his looped header was just over the bar. The away side had their best spell of the half moving the ball well but failed to create any chances that troubled Andrew Plummer in the Regent although some good play did see a ball fizzed across the six yard box but fortunately Regent were able to clear. HT 1-0
The second half started fairly evenly with both sides still finding it hard to create any clear openings but on 62 minutes Regent did increase the lead from a rather strange bit of play. The away keeper collected the ball comfortably and looked to clear long for a counter attack but smashed the ball straight at the retreating Josh Gould, the ball fell into the path of Phil Kelly who controlled the bouncing ball and managed to control his shot beyond the keeper into the bottom far corner for 2-0. Despite their protests the goal was in my opinion correctly awarded with the keeper hitting Josh rather than Josh doing anything untoward as he was retreating and wasn't standing or obstructing the keeper. Webster made his first change on 69 minutes with Ben Newson replacing Jake Gordon. The away side looked for a response and also made changes, two crosses were superbly dealt with by Andrew Plummer who came and collected confidently before another ball into the box was set back for the Maldon number 8 but Josh Gould did well to block his effort. Webster made his second change on 76 minutes with George Clarke replacing Phil Kelly and the two substitutes combined with Ben Newson through on goal he was denied the chance to increase the lead with the keeper out quicky off his line to smother the shot from Ben. Warren Joseph replaced Amir Berkane on 85 minutes for the final change for the R's. The away side delivered another cross into the box but the set back was this time well saved by Andrew Plummer low to his left. With time running out and Regent seemingly running the clock down George Clarke and Ricky Griggs combined twice to find first, Josh Gould who saw his shot saved at the near post before the keeper then denied Jordan Heath in almost an identical area. FT 2-0
Regent worked hard as a team to win this game and collect a good three points to keep them 8th in the table with six games left and another big game on Monday where they play their game in hand.