Howell and Turner win it away.

Brightlingsea Regent started the 2015-16 season with a trip to Waltham Abbey with several new faces in the squad. After last seasons very credible debut season in the Ryman North League where Regent finished sixth Webster was hoping for a better start to the campaign than last season where Regent were slow to adapt to the League. The League is looking very strong with several teams making very good acquisitions during the close season and Webster has also strengthened the team with some of these making their debuts in the game. Webster was however without Kevin Hughes who unfortunately suffered a ruptured Achilles in a friendly which has seen him retire. All at the club wish Kev all the best, after a long and great career. It was great to see him at the game yesterday too. Jake Holman, Jake Phillips and Phil Kelly were also unavailable after also suffering injuries in the warm up games. Webster handed debuts to Luke Read, Lamell Howell and Josh Mayhew with a sprinkling of under 18's also in the match day squad.
The Abbey pitch was in good nick and the basking sunshine saw the home team start well moving the ball and working the Regent back line early. An early chance for the home side in the opening 5 minutes when the Abbey winger was played through but with Andrew Plummer to beat he blasted high and wide over from 8 yards. After 8 minutes though the home side made no mistake and took a deserved lead, a flicked ball saw the number 11 for Abbey hold off the Regent defender to stride on to the ball and slot past Plummer to make it 1-0. Regent found it hard to find any foothold in the game but George Clarke was becoming a dangerous outlet and his run and strike were to show a little of what Regent had to offer. The home team after more good football forced a corner which saw the ball just cleared after a little scramble in the box. Despite the home side having the better of the play and more possession Regent were beginning to settle better and Josh Mayhew worked a position tight to the bye line after beating the last defender but he was able to pressurise the shot which was saved comfortably. After 27 minutes Regent were level, Lamell Howell fouled 25 yards from goal and Jake Turner firing the free kick into the far corner which the keeper despite getting good hands on let slip into the corner for 1-1. The number 9 for the home side was a threat and Matt Cripps and Ricky Griggs combined to snuff out the threat at the expense of a corner. Josh Gould had a couple of chances with headers from set pieces but on both occasions was unable to keep his header down. Just before the interval Luke Read suffered a nasty looking head injury but after treatment was able to continue despite a lump on his brow. HT 1-1
The interval was important for Regent and the tactical shuffle saw Regent much stronger in the second half and dominated large spells. George Clarke again proving a threat and his run and cross were just cleared by the home side. George Clarke and Ricky Griggs then combined but the cross was inches away from the advancing Luke Read. Josh Mayhew then saw his shot fizz over as the R's looked to capitalise on their increasing possession in the game. Matt Cripps was replaced on 60 minutes and replaced by the under 18's skipper Kieran Ayling who was also making his debut. The home side then against the run of play nearly took the lead again when Regent misjudged a direct ball but Josh Gould did superbly to recover and pressurise the Abbey number 9 who's shot was comfortably saved by Andrew Plummer. The home keeper was then in action when he saved a strike from Jake Turner from outside the box after a flowing move. From the resulting corner he again tipped over this time from a Josh Gould header. Jake Gordon replaced Josh Mayhew after 68 minutes and was almost immediately into the action and 3 minutes later set up what proved to be the winner. Andrew Plummer stinging a long kick which Jake Gordon touched into the run of Lamell Howell who advanced onto the ball before slotting inside the post to make it 2-1. The home side made changes to look for an equaliser and a header from a corner was just over the Regent bar. On 78 minutes Webster made his final change with Brendon Heath replacing Luke Read. The home side had set piece opportunities where as Regent relied mainly on the break now and Luke Milbourne was just unable to slot in Jake Gordon. Andrew Plummer was out well to punch clear the final set piece as Regent held on for the three points. FT 1-2
A hard earned three points for Regent and a good start to the season in a game of two half's against a good home side.