Regent held by Barkingside

Picture shows Terry Rymer in action yesterday against Barkingside.
Picture Courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Ilford to take on Barkingside in their latest league game. More windy conditions and a sticky pitch made for another scrappy game and despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men on 29 minutes and a plethora of chances Regent could only gain a scoreless draw. The hosts could even have stolen it late on with two dangerous breaks hitting the woodwork.
Regent started the game reasonably well and should have taken the lead on 6 minutes, Terry Rymer doing well to out muscle the defender and his cut back to Phil Kelly was good but was spooned over the bar. A quick break from the home side saw Matt Cripps awarded a yellow card with a push on the striker, the resulting kick was headed away by Cripps with the home player striking the ball high over the bar from the clearance. A good pass from Josh Gould found Russell Malton who drove forward delivering a good ball across the box but Phil Kelly was inches away from a vital touch. Jake Clowsley went even closer when a dragged shot from Terry Rymer was met at the back post but he could only hit the side netting from a few yards. Ollie Bowles was called into action when he came off his line to collect a through ball but couldn't grasp fully and the home striker could only fire wide from a tight angle. On 29 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men, Phil Kelly wining a foul when he was too strong for the defender, the skipper foolishly deciding to get involved and threw the ball into the face of a Regent player earning him a red card. Russell Malton continued to be a great outlet for Regent and his hung up cross was met by Jake Clowsley but again he was unable to work the keeper. Just before the interval a 25 yard strike from Luke Read was comfortably held by the keeper. HT 0-0
Against the wind but with a man advantage Regent pinned the home side back. A Russell Malton cross again was just inches away from Jake Clowsley with the home defence able to clear. The same two players again combined with Jake this time only able to volley wide. Webster made his first change on 62 minutes with Josh Mayhew replacing Warren Joseph. Josh Gould saw his toe poke wide from a corner before air kicking another effort from a corner as Regent continued to look for a goal. Another corner and this time a Phil Kelly header which went over the bar. Another surging Russell Malton run saw Regent 4 v 2 but for once Russell rushed his decision and dragged a shot wide which was collected by Jake Clowsley but the home side cleared again. Webster made his second change on 76 minutes with Jake Gould replacing Jake Clowsley. The away side had their best threat in the last 10-15 minutes of the game as Regent lost shape looking for a winner. The substitute striking the outside of the post from a quick break. Jake Turner saw his half volley slightly deflected and well saved low to his right by the keeper just moments later. Lamell Howell was the last change for Webster replacing Phil Kelly on 84 minutes. Ollie Bowles was just able to gather from a dangerous cross which was knocked down in the six yard box before Terry Rymer worked the home keeper again, his turn and shot though was comfortably saved. The home side went close again when a break saw them this time hit the bar with a header. The last real chance of the game saw Matt Cripps stride forward from the halfway line but his stinging effort from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar. FT 0-0
A frustrating day for Regent who were held by a hard working home side but this result did make it 8 unbeaten in the league for the R's.