Regent do it again

Picture shows Regent celebrating yesterday's winning goal.
Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Sixth and seventh placed Brightlingsea Regent and Cheshunt clashed at North Road yesterday. Both teams were two points outside the play offs before the start of the game and both were in good form. Regent recording a 3-2 win at Cray Wanderers last Saturday whilst Cheshunt came into the game off an equally impressive 3-0 home win against Thurrock also last Saturday. Cheshunt were 9 unbeaten going into the game their last defeat was way back on November 23rd against Aveley whilst Regent were unbeaten in their last 7 and had only suffered one defeat in their last 17 since way back in mid October. Regent again unbelievably came back from 2-0 behind and like last Saturday collected all three points in doing so to win 3-2 and move them up one place to replace Cheshunt in 6th and sit still two points outside the play offs.
A fairly even start in the opening moments with Phil Kelly having the best chance for the home side but he placed his header across the goal rather than at the goal from a set piece. The away side soon took control though and began to dictate proceedings largely dominating the opening half with their powerful and sometimes direct play. Cheshunt took the lead on 17 minutes, Hallett collecting the ball on the edge of the area before looping the ball over the head of Jake Gould, as Jake recovered he could only divert the ball into his own net as he tried to wrestle possession off Hallett to make it 0-1. Regent looked for a response and again it was Phil Kelly who went closest but he could only toe poke the cross wide of the far post unable to wrap his foot around the Russell Malton cross. Hallett again was proving to be a threat for the away side but this time his effort was high over the bar. On 30 minutes it was 0-2, the defender for Cheshunt anticipating the pass and winning the ball on the halfway line before passing to Zanone, his cross was met by Hallett who swept the ball into the roof of the net from 8 yards to double the away sides lead. Sam Cowler made a routine save after a good cross from Bolle as Regent continued to struggle in the game. On 42 minutes Regent got a lifeline. A Ricky Griggs free kick was met by Matt Cripps on the far right of the area, his volley was bent into the far bottom corner with the keeper motionless to make it 1-2. Just before the interval, Bruno for the away struck a sweet strike from 25 yards which whistled just over the top corner. HT 1-2
A much better half for Regent who were braver on the ball and restricted the away side to attacks on the break largely. Despite a better start the R's didn't create much of note though but the introduction of Shamido Pedulu for Warren Joseph had a positive impact. A slight reshuffle for the team with Shamido Pedulu straight into the play positive with the ball and a good run and cross saw the ball just cleared by the away side. Regent got an equaliser on 63 minutes, Russell Malton and Shamido Pedulu combining before the cross from Shamido was met by Jake Clowsley, his shot was saved by the keeper but Phil Kelly was first to the rebound and fired home to make it 2-2. Fully in the ascendancy now Russell Malton was played through on goal but with the keeper advancing out to the edge of his area he was able to smother the shot and the ball was cleared to safety. A sublime pass from Matt Cripps then found Phil Kelly but the pass into Jake Clowsley saw him marginally ruled offside as he slotted home. The away side restricted to set pieces saw a couple of superbly flighted kicks dealt with well by Sam Cowler collecting one before punching the other free kick to clear any danger. Regent got what proved to be the winner on 81 minutes, Phil Kelly collecting the ball before turning and passing into the area, Shamido Pedulu read the pass and got the wrong side of the defender before being hauled down. Jake Turner stepping up to the send the keeper the wrong way and make it 3-2. Webster made his final two changes with Jake Phillips replacing Jake Clowsley on 83 minutes before Dimitris Hadjiconstantinou replaced Russell Malton on 89 minutes and despite pushing for an equaliser the away side couldn't find any openings as Regent defended and managed the final stages well to seal the points. FT 3-2
For the third game on the bounce Regent bounced back from two behind and in facing three teams in the top six, Regent claimed the points to make it seven from nine points in these games.