Regent make it a good week

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Romford to North Road for their latest league game. Groundsman Stitch and his band of helpers had done a superb job to get the game on again with the second game in four days at North Road with so many games across all levels off. Terry Rymer was serving the last of his 3 game ban whilst Ollie Bowles was playing his last game before leaving to join Brentwood Town. Webster welcomed two new signings into the squad with Lewis Haughton and Sam Cowler taking a place on the bench.
Regent won the game and deservedly so on the balance of play and chances created but the away side as always were competitive throughout and made it a well earned and hard fought three points.
Regent started the game well and in the opening 15 minutes created some good openings. Shamido Pedulu blazing over from 6 yards after good play from Phil Kelly and Russell Malton. Phil Kelly received a lovely pass from Ricky Griggs before driving forward and seeing his shot just palmed away from the far corner, the away defender then doing well to deny Russell Malton who was alert to the rebound. After 9 minutes Regent took a deserved lead, a Ricky Griggs corner found Phil Kelly unmarked and he headed beyond the keeper to make it 1-0. After the bright start Romford began to settle and their compact midfield began to control and win possession pushing Regent back and making the home sides play more rushed. A good cross from the left was met in the box by the away striker but he blazed high and wide. After a much better spell the away side got an equaliser that their play deserved. A cross was cut out before being collected and returned with a pass into the striker Reynolds who finished well into the far corner beyond Ollie Bowles for 1-1 on 24 minutes. After a much more even spell Regent again settled after 30 minutes and began to release their wide players again. Josh Gould saw his header from a Jake Turner free kick expertly saved low to the keepers right and then scrambled clear. On 38 minutes Josh Gould was not to be denied though and another Ricky Griggs corner superbly flighted was met by Josh Gould who headed powerfully into the top corner for 2-1. A good run from Phil Kelly broke the defence but his attempted pass into Luke Read was cut out by the Romford defenders. Just before the interval Jake Gould saw his shot saved as Regent ended the half well. HT 2-1
Once again Regent created the better openings although the game was fairly even with both sides enjoying spells in possession. A cross from Shamido Pedulu saw the keeper deny Jake Turner before he was then up smartly to deny at the feet of Phil Kelly. Another positive run from Shamido Pedulu saw him in a good position but he dragged his shot wide. On 60 minutes Webster made his first change with Jake Clowsley replacing Shamido Pedulu. A weak clearance from the keeper was collected by Russell Malton who's first time strike dipped and swerved before smashing against the crossbar, the keeper retrieving saw the ball hit him in the face before trickling inches past the post on 70 minutes. Regent added a third goal on 77 minutes, Russell Malton crossing into the box for Phil Kelly with once again the keeper saving but Jake Clowsley was on hand to force the ball home with the help of the home defender who tried to clear acrobatically but only helped it nestle in the bottom corner for 3-1. Lewis Haughton replaced Phil Kelly on 79 minutes. The away side continued to battle and work hard and the striker Reynolds forced Ollie Bowles into a good one handed save flying to his right at the expense of a corner. Jake Phillips replaced Luke Read on 85 minutes for the final change from Webster. The away side delivered a wicked corner which Ollie Bowles did well to catch right on his line as it swerved goalwards. Regent nearly added a fourth late in the game as all the substitutes combined, Lewis Haughton crossing into the box for Jake Clowsley who passed to Jake Phillips, his half volley was superbly saved low to his right as it headed for the bottom corner. FT 3-1
A good week for Regent who collected 7 points from 3 games which sees them 8th in the table and 3 points outside the play offs.