Regent share the spoils again

Picture of Jake Gordon in action, picture by David Buckingham.

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Southend on Saturday to play Great Wakering Rovers in their latest league game. Webster had the same squad available from midweek with the exception of sub keeper who was Robbie Lee for this game and made changes to the starting line up from the midweek draw at home to AFC Sudbury.
Both sides had to settle for a point with neither side able to take the chances that came along in a well contested game.
Both teams started well and Regent did well down the right in the early stages with Russell Malton and Ricky Griggs combining, Ricky breaking in to the box and appearing to be brought down but the Referee waving the Regent appeals away. The home side forced an early set piece with Andrew Plummer doing well to push around the post a shot from close range. Moments later Plummer did well again when the home striker pounced on a short chest pass from Josh Gould and quickly reacted to palm over the bar. With both sides attacking well it was Regent who were next to go close when Jake Gordon did well to hold the defender off out wide before bursting into the area but from an acute angle he fired over the bar. Luke Read went close from a corner but he was just unable to get enough on the header and work the keeper. Just before the interval both sides had a free kick in dangerous areas, the home kick well saved by Andrew Plummer, pushing around the post. Jake Turner's free kick doing more damage to Webster's car than the Wakering goal unfortunately. HT 0-0
The home side came at Regent strong at the beginning of the half and went close when the winger saw his cross deflected and spoon up towards the Regent goal, beating Plummer but thankfully bouncing off the bar before being cleared to safety. Despite their bright start it was Regent who could and should have taken the lead, Russell Malton winning the ball high up the pitch from the defender before crossing into the area where George Clarke was arriving but he missed his kick and the chance had gone from 10 yards. Webster made two changes and changed the shape of the team on 65 minutes, Lamell Howell and Brendon Heath replacing Jake Gordon and George Clarke. The home team had two great chances to take the lead, both for Jacobs when he got wrong side of the Regent back line, firstly hitting the post before his second effort just moments later was wide of the far upright. Josh Mayhew replaced Phil Kelly as both sides used their final changes to try and win the game. Lamell Howell did well out wide before the home defence did well to thwart the opportunity. The home side who were threatening from their set pieces forced late pressure but Regent defended them well to keep a clean sheet and with injury time being played had the chance to snatch all three points. The ball falling to Matt Cripps but his toe poked effort was just scrambled clear by the keeper and defender to see the game end all square. FT 0-0
Four unbeaten for the R's now still improvements to be made but three clean sheets in four hopefully shows the team shape is nearer where expected.