Regent make it 3 on the bounce

Picture shows Regent celebrating the Luke Read opening goal. Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to AFC Sudbury for their latest league game fresh from back to back wins, a rare Saturday off following their 1-0 away win at Bury Town last Tuesday. The two teams had already met twice this season with Regent winning at Sudbury 1-5 and in doing so knocking them out of the Alan Turvey Cup before the two teams drew 1-1 at North Road in the league. The home side came into the game after an impressive 1-0 away victory at Hendon in the FA Trophy on Sunday. Before the game a minutes applause was held for Emma Holloway a young lady who died tragically young five years ago to the day and was a player for the AFC Sudbury ladies. On to the game and Regent made it three wins on the bounce after a close first half saw the teams level before a two goal burst in three second half minutes saw the R's once again defeat the home side.
Both teams started well but Regent had the better of the opening 20 minutes of the half and looked dangerous in their attacking play. Russell Malton and Josh Mayhew combining well and working space down the right but the cross was cleared for a corner. The first real threat was on 13 minutes when a shot from a good 35 yards saw a stinging Josh Gould strike beat the keeper but ping against the post before being tapped home by Terry Rymer, the assistant ruling Terry offside though. The home side came back and forced their own corner which Regent were able to scramble clear. Good play through midfield the saw the ball worked out to Lamell Howell but the advancing keeper was just able to clear for a throw from a dangerous looking situation on 20 minutes. As the half progressed the home side were beginning to increase their pressure and Bowles was forced into his first save on 30 minutes when he saved an effort from Blackwell. Neat play around the edge of the Regent area saw a corner awarded and once again Regent were able to clear. As it seemed the home side were pushing Regent back they were hit on a break. Regent working the ball down the right before winning a corner, the corner was only partially cleared to Jake Turner he controlled and shot before a touch from Luke Read saw it nestle in the goal for 0-1 on 36 minutes. The home side came straight back and had levelled just two minutes later, good play down the right with the overlapping full back crossing for Callander to tap home and make it 1-1 on 38 minutes. The home side nearly turned it completely round just a minute later but Blackwell was high and wide after direct play found him almost clear in the Regent area. HT 1-1
Regent were forced into a change with Phil Kelly replacing Lamell Howell and a slight shuffle for some of the players. Josh Mayhew broke well at the beginning of the half but his cut back was just cut out for a corner. The home full back again did well delivering a good cross but Ollie Bowles comfortably collected the header from Callander. Ollie Bowles again denying Callander coming out to smother the ball just minutes later. The home side were in the ascendancy and forced another corner after a good run and cross from Blackwell but once again Regent defended well as they held firm. Regent were rewarded for their resilience on 65 minutes when they regained the lead, a fast break saw the ball worked through the thirds and Rymer saw his first shot blocked superbly by Garnham but not to be denied he fired home the rebound to make it 1-2. Lifted by the goal Regent went forward and a foul just to the right side of the area produced a killer third goal on 68 minutes. Ricky Griggs delivering a good ball where Josh Gould met it powerfully to find the bottom corner just beating the keeper with a great header for 1-3. Webster made his second change on 70 minutes with Jake Phillips replacing Josh Mayhew. The home side tried to come back into the game and committed men forward, Ollie Bowles making a fine save to deny the home side. Webster made his final change on 77 minutes with Kieron Baker replacing Russell Malton. Ollie Bowles comfortably saved an attempted chip as the home side tried to pin Regent back but Jake Phillips on the break nearly worked a chance in the area but was denied with a last ditch tackle. With time running out the home side forced a corner with a great block denying Henshaw on both occasions. Phil Kelly then worked a clear shooting chance in the area but he bent his effort wide. In injury time Warren Joseph was booked for a late tackle and from the resulting free kick, Ollie Bowles dived full length to his left to tip Parker's effort round the post. FT 1-3
Another good three points for Regent who continued their good run and their hard work again earning them the win.