League new boys Canvey Island provided the first home opposition to Regent on a coolish Tuesday evening which saw some respite from the heat.
The pitch looked in good condition and a big noisy crowd of 272 provided a lively, good humoured start to the season. Regent lined up with Turner in goal; Anderson, Thompson, Littlejohn and Oladejo at the back; Durling, Jeremiah, Barnby and Skinner in midfield then Carnegie and Woodward up front. Salako, Fuma, Bell and George were on the bench. Sadly, Kane Gilbert was in the stands on crutches alongside Dom Locke who was injured.

Regent supporters wondered how the new boys would do following the recent arrivals and departures and didn’t have to wait for an answer.
Canvey kicked off and won a corner which Anderson blocked. The clearance found Harrison Carnegie in the clear and he showed pace and composure to slot the ball past the ‘keeper to endear himself to the local fans. One nil up in two minutes was a debut to remember.

Canvey dusted themselves off and showed themselves to be a hustling, bustling team with two front men with electric pace. Another corner followed on the Regent right and Evans Kouassi collected it, jinked inside and placed the ball inside Turner’s right post to even the score after 11 minutes.

The next 20 minutes was fairly even with plenty of action. Regent managed attempts from distance, Skinner appeared to be tripped in the penalty area, which the referee waved away and Carnegie played a delightful ball across the face of goal which nobody could get to.

On the half hour Anderson came forward and hit a speculative shot which the ‘keeper couldn’t hold but from the clearance Canvey got away down the left and Jake Thompson was exposed by the pace of the opposition who got past him and provided an easy put away in front of goal.

Forced to go forward to find an equaliser, Regent started to press forward but left gaps at the back. After Turner had produced a wonder save and Connor Barnby was unable to exploit an opening the Canvey forwards got away again, made a two on one opportunity, and extended their lead.

Second half
No changes were made at half time. Regent continued to press forward. Luke Skinner was fouled outside the box and Canvey’s Mason Hall was booked. Carnegie and Oladejo combined in a free kick routine which led to two fierce shots from the full back.

Once again, forward pressure created gaps at the back. Kousassi got free at the back and this time created a goal for Luca Albon.

Five minutes later, Brett Munyard made changes as Barnby, Thompson and Woodward went off to be replaced by Salako, Fuma and George and Regent went to three at the back. Unfortunately, they had no time to settle and immediately fell further behind as a cross from the left was headed over Charlie Turner by Canvey’s Danny Parish.

Neither side gave up in what was an all action match and Zack Littlejohn prevented a sixth going in whilst Nathan Fuma saw a good effort blocked.
Both sides won corners but the best chance went to Salako whose effort was saved.

After three minutes added time Canvey ran out with a 5-1 win to make up for the loss to Horsham on Saturday.

Match verdict
Whilst the result was disappointing there are positives to take from the display. Canvey are a quick, fit and well organised side with players who have stepped down from a higher level. Regent matched them for long periods with several players who are stepping up to this level. Things can only get better.

By Paul Ketchley