Regent held in six goal thriller

Picture shows Phil Kelly scoring his first and Regent's second in yesterday's game.
Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent began 2016 with a trip to Wroxham's Trafford Park for their 24th League game of the season. Webster was without the suspended Terry Rymer but did welcome back Shamy Pedulu into the squad after injury.
A draw was a fair result on a sticky pitch which made good viewing for the spectators although far too open for most of the game from the dugouts perspective. Some shocking decisions which Regent seemed to suffer the brunt of and some good finishes as both teams began the new year with a draw.
Regent began the game sloppily and allowed the home side to dictate the early running. After 13 minutes the home side took the lead and despite their better start it was the real first threatening attack for either side. The number 9 was afforded room on the halfway line before turning and playing into the winger, the 9 then collected the ball again in the Regent area before turning Josh Gould and crossing for an easy tap in for the home striker to make it 1-0. The left back and left winger then combined delivering a cross which Regent cleared as the home side threatened to increase their lead. More good attacking play then saw the home midfielder fire over from the edge of the area. Regent finally got a hold on the game as the home side gave away a plethora of free kicks which the Referee seemed happy to let them do without any form of deterrent. Jake Turner producing a well flighted kick that was flicked on with Jake Clowsley meeting the flick but heading over somehow from just in front of the keeper. Jake Clowsley went close just moments later after a sublime pass from Phil Kelly found him bearing in on the keeper who saved well with his feet from 8 yards to deny Regent. On 22 minutes despite the efforts of the keeper Regent did make it 1-1, again good play from Phil Kelly who collected the ball, turned and passed into Ricky Griggs who held of the defender before slipping past the advancing keeper to find the bottom corner. After seemingly keeping his cards in his pocket the Referee then rather harshly booked Matt Cripps who cut out a through ball which bounced up and flicked his rib cage and arm which was by his side. Both sides now fairly evenly matched failed to create too much of note as the half ended even although both sides were forced into changes through injury with Lamell Howell replaced by Shamy Pedulu after over stretching for the ball in the Wroxham area. HT 1-1
Regent started the half much better and created early chances to take the lead, Phil Kelly and Ricky Griggs again combining but this time the advancing keeper smothered the shot from Ricky Griggs as he bore down on goal. The keeper again did well to deny the R's this time saving Jake Clowsley's effort from a tight angle. Regent did take the lead on 52 minutes that their early start had warranted. A Ricky Griggs corner was met perfectly by Phil Kelly who guided his head into the top corner for 1-2. The home side reacted straight away to going behind and the game became very stretched, too stretched for the liking of Regent as the home side threatened to equalise and should of within a minute but through on goal the home player took his shot early and was high over the bar. Again the home side went close as they put Regent under pressure but this time a superb block from Jake Gould denied the goal bound effort before it was scrambled clear. On 60 minutes the equaliser that looked imminent arrived, another break forward saw Ollie Bowles save the original shot superbly before again it was blocked but this time the ball was forced home to make it 2-2 on 60 minutes despite the Assistant raising his flag, changing his mind and his story much to the annoyance of the Regent bench. Webster made his second change with Josh Mayhew replacing Jake Clowsley on 63 minutes. Once again the momentum swung as it was now Regent in the ascendancy as Josh Mayhew saw his shot comfortably saved after good play from the substitute. Regent then forced a corner which was eventually met by Matt Cripps who fired his shot against the underside of the bar before it was cleared to safety. On 68 minutes it was 2-3, Phil Kelly collecting the ball before striding towards the area, as it looked like the defender had closed his space a side step before a stunning strike into the top corner giving the keeper no chance to give Regent the lead again.
Regent went close again after good play with Josh Mayhew and Phil Kelly working the ball to Russell Malton, he took his shot early from a good position but was wide of the near post. On 74 minutes Regent were again it seemed on the end of some questionable officiating. A shot from distance resulting in a corner that only one person in the ground thought before the resulting corner was bundled home at the far post with Ollie Bowles clearly impeded to make it 3-3. Four fouls on the keepers from both sides throughout the game with three awarded for very similar incidents but on this occasion all was ok again to further demonstrate the inconsistency throughout the game. Webster made his final change with Warren Joseph replacing Luke Read. Regent probably edged the better chances in the remaining minutes with Josh Mayhew marginally ruled offside after good play from Jake Gould and Phil Kelly played in but from a tight angle on the left side of the area he fired high over the bar as both sides had to settle for a point. FT 3-3
The home side bellied their position in the table especially with their attacking display as Regent remained in 10th place in the table.