Regent complete a good Easter

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed AFC Sudbury to North Road for their latest game and pitted them against the third placed suffolk side in a vitally important game. AFC Sudbury seem comfortably in the play offs but were looking to remain in third position to keep home advantage for the semi-final in the play offs whilst Regent who sat four points outside the play offs needed a win to keep their outside chances alive. A typically hard fought derby game with both sides limiting the others time on the ball and a few incidents off the ball saw the Referee busy at times in front of a good crowd with both teams having a good following on a bank holiday game. At the end of it a really good three points for Regent against a quality side.
The away side started the game slightly better and Regent looked a little apprehensive on the ball but despite that they dealt with the threat from the away side and after 15 minutes created the first real chance in the game. A corner from Ricky Griggs was met by Matt Cripps but his free header was directed wide of the far upright. The away side themselves seeing a header from a set piece comfortably handled by Andrew Plummer as both sides struggled to create much of note. As the half went on Regent grew into it and after 24 minutes took the lead, Ricky Griggs and Ollie Canfer combining with Ricky Griggs crossing into the box, the defender could only partially clear the header and the keeper under pressure could only punch to the edge of the area where Jake Turner was first to react and his half volley was perfectly executed over the keeper to make it 1-0. Amir Berkane and Newby for the away side then collided and as they fell seemed to tussle with both players shown a yellow card. Regent buoyed by the goal nearly added a second when some great skill out wide from Ollie Canfer saw him beat the full back before cutting back to Jake Gordon who controlled his volley well but his crisp strike fired against the post and cleared to safety to deny the striker. The away side looking to respond changed their shape and from a set piece again a header was this time well tipped over by Andrew Plummer. From another set piece the away side did well to keep the ball alive and a cross was met by Parker for the away side but his toe poked shot was straight at Andrew Plummer when he should have done better. Just before half time the Referee was again involved with Newby clearly raising an arm and being seen by the Referee who warned the player but rather harshly decided to caution Jake Turner for simulation just moments before that foul. Just before the whistle Ben Newson saw his volley high over the bar with the ball still rising possibly now. HT 1-0
The away side made a change with Newby replaced by Blackwell and his pace and trickery added a different dimension to the away side who started the half well and pinned Regent back. Despite their start they found it very hard to create anything of real note with Regent resolute although finding it very hard to retain any real possession. A positive run into the box saw the number 10 go down but the Referee deciding rightfully a coming together more than any foul whilst Rymer saw his shot comfortably handled by Andrew Plummer. Blackwell on a driving run did well to get to the bye line but his cross was scrambled clear. After a very difficult opening 15 minutes again Regent began to settle and were beginning to find some good positions through counter attacks with Jake Gordon doing very well to link play and allow Regent to get higher up the pitch. Webster made his first change on 70 minutes with Jordan Heath replacing Ollie Canfer and he was straight into the action and helped Regent gain a little more quality in possession. With the away side still threatening but finding it hard to create anything the R's began to look more threatening and on 76 minutes got a vital second goal. Ricky Griggs doing well out wide and a shot from Ben Newson was well blocked by defender and keeper before the ball rebounded out to Phil Kelly who arrowed his drive sweetly beyond the keeper for 2-0. Again the away side looked for a response and their main threat in the second half, Blackwell did well out wide but his shot from a tight angle was saved comfortably by Andrew Plummer. Webster made his final two changes in the 87th minute with Jake Gould and Warren Joseph replacing Ben Newson and Phil Kelly. More tireless work from Jake Gordon saw him win a free kick which was well delivered by Ricky Griggs but cleared well by the away side. In the 90th minute Regent made it 3-0, Jake Gould finding Jordan Heath, his shot was blocked before being returned to Jake Gould who's pass was collected by Jordan Heath who showed great composure to fire under the keeper. FT 3-0
A great result for Regent against a strong away side who themselves have been on a great run since the turn of the year. Regent now just two points outside the play offs will need the same excellent crowd backing they had for this game with just three games remaining and two of these at home, the next a tough looking game against a resurgent Cray side who have won six on the bounce.