Regent win at home

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Maldon & Tiptree to North Road for their latest league game. Webster was without several players due to various reasons with skipper Matt Cripps and fellow defender Warren Joseph unavailable as well as keeper Daniel Beeson, Lamell Howell completing the list for Regent. Webster was boosted though with the return of Russell Malton after injury who was fit enough to take a place on the bench and he was further boosted with Jake Philips returning to the starting team after a long injury lay off. A busy midweek for Webster who completed the signings of Terry Rymer who returns just over a year after leaving the club and goalkeeper Ollie Bowles who signs on dual registration from Concord Rangers with both starting for the R's.
On to the game and a good start by both sides in a fairly even first half with Regent just shading it and a goal on 20 minutes settled the game despite a very good second half from the visitors who pinned Regent back but couldn't find enough cutting edge to break down a makeshift but resolute defence.
The visitors went closest in the opening 10 minutes when good play on the edge of the area saw the number 10 just bend his effort wide of the far post. Good link up play from the returning Terry Rymer saw Luke Read play a perfect pass into Phil Kelly but his rasping shot was into the side netting from a tight angle. Terry Rymer then forced the keeper into a good save with a strike from the edge of the area. On 20 minutes the decisive goal for Regent when Luke Read did well in midfield to win the ball before it was played to Josh Mayhew, his cross was into the box where the industrious Luke Read was thwarted at first by the keeper but the ball deflecting back off Luke Read and nestling into the bottom corner for 1-0. The away side came back strongly and Ollie Bowles did well to save a deflected shot from 15 yards low to his left. Josh Mayhew then delivered another perfect cross into the box but this time no Regent player had made the run to tap home and the ball was easily cleared. The away side had a good ending to the half with both number 7 and 11 going close after good driving runs, Ricky Griggs in at centre half doing well to clear for a corner on both occasions with a timely block. Terry Rymer on the break worked a good chance with an intelligent run but his shot was high over the bar. The assistant gave the keeper a lucky break when it appeared Josh Mayhew had stolen the ball from him but he adjudged the keeper had control of the ball. In injury time Regent themselves got lucky, from a corner a great stop from Ollie Bowles before unbelievable desperate but brave defending saw Regent somehow clear at the far post with at least two blocks on the line to deny the away side. HT 1-0
Webster was forced into a change at the start of the half with Russell Malton replacing the injured Phil Kelly. The visitors had great spells in the second half especially in the opening 20-25 minutes and pinned Regent back. The number 7 firing over from 10 yards after good play created an opening inside the left edge of the area. Good wing play from number 10 then saw a well flighted cross which Regent again did well to clear. Webster made his second change on 61 minutes with Keiron Baker replacing Brendon Heath. The number 10 then went closer still with a jinking run forcing his way into the box before Ollie Bowles and a defender managed to clear to safety. Midway through the half Regent began to get slightly better and Luke Read did well to chase down a defender before rounding the keeper before seeing his cross cleared for a corner. Despite the visitors still having slightly better possession the game was now more end to end and Luke Read was again looking dangerous with the visiting keeper tipping over his shot from 25 yards. The away side now finding it hard to break down a resolute defence and over hitting their passes through to Ollie Bowles. Webster made his final change on 78 minutes with Charlie Lindoe making his debut and replacing Jake Phillips. After impressing in the under 18's Charlie Lindoe was straight into the action nutmegging the defender before breaking through but a defender was just able to deny and clear from the R's. The visitors continued to search for an equaliser but had almost run out of ideas and despite possession couldn't find a way past the Regent defence. FT 1-0
A hard fought victory for Regent who worked and battled to gain an important three points and move up to 14th in the table.