Regent decked by Dockers

Action from last nights game, picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Tilbury to North Road for their latest league game on a very wet night. The pitch was looking very good before the game considering the weather and held up well despite the continuous rain throughout although the aftermath will have left a lot of work for Stitch and his team. The two teams went into the game in good form with Regent 8 unbeaten in the league and their visitors being 17 unbeaten in all competitions before Saturday's 4-3 defeat again Conference National side Welling United in the FA Trophy. The visitors won this game deservedly so with a powerful display full of intensity that saw them gain the 3 points and move just outside the play offs with games in hand and on this current work ethic and performance will take some stopping.
The game started at a fast pace and Regent began well with Terry Rymer and Russell Malton linking well before a Rymer shot was skewed wide from a good position. Midway through the half after a fairly even start the visitors began to take control and went close after a driving run saw the cross just headed wide. Another bursting run this time from the left saw the ball just scrambled clear with Josh Gould and Warren Joseph both clearing from the line. After 37 minutes the visitors took the lead that their play was beginning to warrant from midway through the half. Another good run this time from the right saw the ball too easily into the Regent box and met by the 9 who headed down beyond Bowles for 0-1. Just 3 minutes later it was 0-2, again another run this time from the left saw Regent back peddling and despite a block from the initial run and cross the ball was met first by the 7 who fired beyond Bowles for 0-2. No real further action for either side before the interval but the damage had been done. HT 0-2
Regent started the half better and a good ball into the box was met by Ricky Griggs but he fired over. Russell Malton looked a threat for Regent and another positive run forward saw his cross cleared well by the visitors. Any thoughts of a comeback were dampened when a poor touch was jumped on by the 10 who took his shot early and from 25 yards found the top bins for 0-3 on 55 minutes. The visitors moments later nearly extended their lead when they scored again but this time the assistants flag ruled out the goal. On 65 minutes Regent made it 1-3, a straight ball through the heart of the visitors defence was met by Terry Rymer who held off the defender before slotting past the advancing keeper. Rymer trying to retrieve the ball was then caught in the melee in the goal but as he moved away with the Referee on top of the incident the man in the middle allowed it to continue and ultimately the reaction from Rymer resulted in a red card. Whilst on the officials a real bone of contention in this game with fouls you'd normally expect no longer seemingly the case clearly a law change overnight that clubs weren't made aware of before the game. Webster made two changes with Jake Clowsley and Lamell Howell replacing Warren Joseph and Jake Gould on 66 minutes. With the man advantage and despite Regent still looking to go forward it was the visitors who had the better threat and they made it 1-4 on 70 minutes, punishing another Regent mistake before crossing into the box where the ball finally found the player who from the left angle saw his shot deflected into the goal through a body of players. The final change for Regent saw Josh Mayhew replace Phil Kelly on 74 minutes. Ollie Bowles saved Regent with two outstanding saves from going further behind with a strong right hand before a close smothering save. Regent were denied a stonewall penalty from the official after a clear push in the area on Josh Gould from a cross out wide. FT 1-4
A powerful display from the away side who's intensity throughout was impressive and fully deserved the points which leaves Regent 12th in the table.