Regent grab late winner

Picture shows players celebrating taking a 14th minute lead through Luke Read, Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Thamesmead Town to North Road for their latest league game. The two sides had already met twice this season with Thamesmead knocking Regent out of the FA Trophy in a replay at North Road with a 4-1 victory. A much more resilient Regent side won this with a late Russell Malton stunner in tough conditions to move up to 12th in the table and with games in hand which could see them just a point outside the play offs.
Webster kept the same side from the 4-2 away victory at Aveley the previous Saturday but did have Ricky Griggs back in the squad after he missed that victory.
Regent started the game well and adapted to the conditions better. Phil Kelly powerfully breaking through the visitors back line and his pass found Russell Malton, he dragged his shot into the path of Luke Read but his effort was cleared off the line. Regent took the lead on 14 minutes with a well worked goal. Russell Malton passing to Matt Cripps who fed the ball into Phil Kelly, his pass to Terry Rymer was cleverly dummied for Luke Read who collected the ball on the edge of the area before beating defenders and rounding the keeper to slot home and make it 1-0. Regent continued to dictate but were caught out on 18 minutes. From a Regent corner the visitors cleared the ball to the half way line where the number 9 Gordon-Young collected holding off Jake Gould before turning him and driving into the Regent half, he then beat Warren Joseph before firing past Ollie Bowles from 25 yards into the far corner for a great strike to make it 1-1. The away side were clearly lifted by the goal in their first real threatening situation and on 28 minutes nearly took the lead. Josh Gould tried to usher the ball out but the hard working Gordon-Young won the ball and crossed but as it looked like an easy tap in for the on rushing forward Russell Malton recovered superbly and blocked the shot before clearing. After both teams had enjoyed positive spells it was again Regent who finished the half well with Russell Malton delivering a superb ball with the outside of his foot which Luke Read met with a header which was comfortably saved. Just before the interval Luke Read again saw his header cleared this time off the line by the visitors number 3. HT 1-1
Webster made a change in the break with Ricky Griggs replacing Jake Gould and the visitors made two changes in the break. The conditions seemed to have got the better of both sides in a scrappy half but the away side sitting compact did look dangerous on the break with the number 3 breaking well before firing his shot wide of the far post. Webster then made his second change on 52 minutes with Lamell Howell replacing Shamido Pedulu who was unable to continue after receiving a knock. The only save in fact by either keeper in the half saw Ollie Bowles deny the number 3 with a smothering save from a dangerous break forward. Webster made his final change on 74 minutes with Jake Turner replacing skipper Matt Cripps. Regent went the closest they had in the half on 77 minutes with a short corner seeing Josh Mayhew bend a ball into the far post but defender and post were able to keep the ball out before clearing. On 89 minutes with the game seemingly heading for a draw Regent snatched a winner. Russell Malton who had been superb through out strode forward before spanking a 35 yard effort which caught the wind and whistled past the keeper to fly into the far corner and make it 2-1. Regent were able to see the game out and collect three more points. FT 2-1
Seven unbeaten for Regent who continue to climb the table with 19 points from 21 now seeing them 12th in the table with games in hand to climb higher.