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Picture shows Luke Read celebrating his second goal in last night's victory.
Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed bottom side Waltham Abbey to North Road for their latest league game. Regent were looking to take advantage of one of their games in hand to climb the table whilst the away side came in to the game off a narrow 2-1 away defeat to last years runners-up Harlow Town. Regent won this game with a scintillating first half performance to climb to 8th in the table just 3 points outside the play offs.
Both teams started the game well with the away side popping the ball about and Regent starting with great intensity. Regent created the first opening with a Ricky Griggs corner met by Phil Kelly but his header was just wide of the near post. The away side seeing a shot from distance wide of the far post as both teams looked for the opening goal. Regent went closer still on 12 minutes, Russell Malton breaking before passing to Phil Kelly who first time found Shamy Pedulu where from the edge of the area his touch then shot thudded against the crossbar before being cleared to safety. Regent only had to wait 1 minute longer for the opening goal, a pass from Russell Malton caused confusion between the defender and goalkeeper, Luke Read closing down was rewarded when he stole the ball before lifting over the keeper to make it 1-0. The 11 Flack for the away side broke well before delivering a cross but Regent defended the cross well. Regent added a second goal on 26 minutes and it was a lovely move which undone the away side, Phil Kelly passing into the run of Luke Read who again coolly slotted home to make it 2-0. Regent were in control now with the away side struggling to contain the R's. Luke Read and Phil Kelly combined again but this time the keeper smothered the shot from Phil Kelly when through on goal. Ricky Griggs and then Matt Cripps playing superb passes before finding Shamy Pedulu but once again the keeper was quick off his line and smothered the shot before Phil Kelly chipped the rebound over the bar. Regent were then denied a clear third goal, Russell Malton timing his run perfectly to slot home past the keeper but the Assistant ruling him offside. Luke Read and Phil Kelly combined once again with Phil twisting inside the defender before a great last ditch tackle denied him. Webster had to make his first change on 42 minutes with Jake Clowsley replacing Shamy Pedulu who was unable to continue. Regent got a third goal just before the interval that their last 20 minutes of the half deserved. Phil Kelly again turning the defender before this time slotting past the keeper after another good move forward to make it 3-0. HT 3-0
Webster was forced into another change at half time with Josh Mayhew replacing Phil Kelly. Josh was straight into the action as Regent created a number of early chances. A good flick from Josh saw him then collect the ball from Jake Clowsley but his shot was high over the bar. Josh Mayhew just moments later seeing another shot from the edge of the area this time going wide of the near post. Jake Clowsley then crossing for Josh Mayhew but his volley was wide. The away side did finally settle and a good move forward saw Josh Gould produce a great block as they threatened a goal back with a stinging strike. On 56 minutes it was 4-0, Russell Malton collecting a misplaced pass before hitting a swerving strike that dipped over the keeper into the top corner. The away side now enjoyed their best spells in the game as they continued to try and move the ball and now committed a lot more players forward. Webster made his final change on 65 minutes with Jake Phillips replacing Ricky Griggs. Matt Cripps made a superb tackle on the edge of the area as the away side threatened with a good break down the left side of the area. On 79 minutes the away side did get a goal after a good move which started from the back before being played through into midfield with a good strike from Daveney finding the bottom corner from 25 yards to make it 4-1. They went close again with Ollie Bowles saving a clean strike from the edge of the area. Ollie Bowles made another routine save this time from a header as the game petered out. FT 4-1
A really good first half securing the points for Regent.