Regent took a trip across the water to Herne Bay for the first time on a day perfect for football. The hosts have a neat stadium with a new 3G pitch and new floodlights. Their ambitions are underlined by turning out in squad numbers on their shirts rather than Regent’s old fashioned 1-11. A crowd of 388 turned up in preference to watching the World Cup on TV.

The friendly staff in the car park had excellent suggestions for lunch venues and the in-stadium catering gained approving comments from the visiting fans:

After the impressive performance against Hornchurch, manager Munyard kept the same starting line-up but brought back Charlie Durling and Sam Jeremiah on the bench plus the three new boys Zuhdu, Solosi and Kirwan.

From the outset it was obvious that this was a match that both sides would be hoping to win but which neither could contemplate losing.
Herne Bay kicked off and there followed 45 minutes of inconsequential football. The hosts had perfected a game plan based on passing back that would have suited Maguire and Stones at their best. It took them half an hour to win a corner and from that forced Charlie Turner to turn a header around the post.

Regent came more into it towards the end of the half but it came as no surprise when it was goal-less at half time.

Second half
Presumably both managers had words to say at half time and Brett Munyard brought on Sam Jeremiah for Terlochan Singh to provide more attacking options.

So, early on, both sides made more attacking moves. Herne Bay hit the post from a central position and Bradley Russell made a good attempt for Regent. Ten minutes in, a second Regent substitution saw Suleyman Zuhdu replace Francis Baptiste to provide a different option in attack.
The game became a bit livelier, and more substitutions followed as both managers tried to fashion a break through with Nathan Sollosi replacing Connor Barnby for Regent.

When it arrived, the opening came from Regent giving the ball away near the half way line and Kymani Thomas showing everyone a clean pair of heels down the left, outpacing Jake Thompson and cutting inside to establish the lead.

Although the home crowd called for a second, the hosts were unable to stay ahead for long as Bradley Russell found Sam Jeremiah with a long diagonal ball and the winger cut the ball back for Suleyman Zuhdu to open his account with a volley into the far corner of the net.
Zuhdu had half a chance to score a second in the closing minutes, before Charlie Turner saved the day for Regent by blocking the ball with his legs.

In the end it was an away point won and the regular players came over to celebrate with the travelling support. Suleyman Zuhdu came over apologetically at the end explaining that it was no disrespect but he just wasn’t used to having fans! He just might have to get used to it.

Match Verdict
Regent may see this as a point gained but, in reality, it is a result which does not do much good for either side. Herne Bay climbed off the bottom of the table courtesy of Hastings scoring three against Corinthian-Casuals and giving them a better goal difference. Regent could do with repeating the same treatment when they face the Casuals next weekend.

By Paul Ketchley