Regent win away at Swifts.

Picture shows the players celebrating a Phil Kelly goal, picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Heybridge Swifts for their latest league game. After missing a few consecutive Saturday's now it was another midweek game with Regent looking to continue their improvement in form after three consecutive wins. Webster was without the ill Warren Joseph but did have new signing Jake Clowsley in what was a full strength squad. This game in truth was settled with a blistering opening 15 minutes by Regent who scored three excellent team goals to give the home side a mountain to climb and despite the game becoming more even after the start Regent won to climb to 10th in the table and collect their fourth win on the bounce.
Regent started the game well and were nearly ahead in the opening minute, a superb ball from wide was met by Terry Rymer on the edge of the area but his first time volley was well saved low to his right by Cowler. Regent did take the lead however in the 3rd minute, Phil Kelly finding Russell Malton who passed to the overlapping Ricky Griggs, his cross was swept home by Russell Malton into the bottom corner for 0-1. On 8 minutes it was 0-2 with another lovely flowing move from the back, Terry Rymer passing to Josh Mayhew who's inch perfect cross was tapped home by Phil Kelly from 6 yards. The home side looked for a response and a cross from the right was met by Stanley but his header was wide. A rampant Regent added to their lead on 15 minutes, Russell Malton playing a weighted pass into the run of Phil Kelly, he cut inside the defender before bending a left footed effort beyond the keeper into the far corner for 0-3. Once again the home side to their credit looked to respond with the number 7 seeing his shot fired wide from the edge of the area. As the half wore on the home side had a much better spell and Ricky Griggs did superbly well to recover and thwart Hunt for Heybridge who looked to be through on goal, Griggs doing enough to stop a clear shot at the expense of a corner. Regent still carried a threat however and Phil Kelly was just thwarted by a last ditch block by Cowler in the Swifts goal. Just before the interval Ollie Bowles was at full stretch to stop the home side diving low to his right to block a stinging drive from inside the area. HT 0-3
Regent again started the half well and Terry Rymer should have increased the lead in the opening minutes when he was through on goal but he tried to chip the advancing keeper from 10 yards but his effort was straight at Cowler. Josh Mayhew was then found in the area but after cutting inside his effort was blocked by a covering defender. Regent did increase their lead on 55 minutes, Russell Malton was fouled after a good break down the right. Ricky Griggs delivering a wicked free kick which was met by Phil Kelly but his header from close range was tipped wide for a corner by Cowler. From the resulting corner Ricky Griggs again delivered a good ball which was met on the half volley by Josh Gould who stroked the ball home for 0-4. Once again the home team responded and saw an effort from the edge of the area loop onto the roof of the net without troubling Ollie Bowles. Webster made his first change on 63 minutes with Jake Clowsley replacing Phil Kelly. Jake Clowsley was straight into the action and was just unable to keep his shot on target from inside the area. On 66 minutes Webster made his second change with Jake Phillips replacing Matt Cripps. Ricky Griggs again covered well to thwart a dangerous attack at the expense of a corner which Regent were able to clear to safety. The final change for Regent was made on 75 minutes with Kieron Baker replacing Russell Malton. The home side made it 1-4 on 76 minutes after a cross from the right was met by substitute Morrison who smashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area into the roof of the net. The home side continued to press forward looking dangerous down the right but Regent were able to defend the crosses well and largely Ollie Bowles was kept untroubled. In the last minute of normal time Regent added to the lead with Luke Read scoring his fourth goal in consecutive games, Josh Mayhew playing a pass into Luke who had timed his run to beat the offside trap, he controlled, turned and fired beyond the keeper for 1-5. FT 1-5
Another good win for Regent who made it four wins on the bounce with the last three all coming away from home. A great away following for Regent who were supported well again.