Regent beaten at home

Picture of Terry Rymer contesting a header during the game yesterday.
Picture courtesy of DB Sports.

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Phoenix Sports to North Road on a wet and dreary day for their latest league game. A very lacklustre performance by Regent who suffered a home defeat against a hard working away side who took full advantage of a below par Regent and it must be said a couple of favourable Refereeing decisions once again to claim a deserved three points and the double over the R's.
A fairly scrappy first half with the direct style of the away side and Regent unable to match their work rate or find any fluidity when they did have possession often choosing the wrong option making for a fairly uninspiring half. The away side carried most of their threat with good deliveries from set pieces which in large Regent defended well. Phil Kelly having the first chance for either side with a good run being found but his shot was well held by the huge Phoenix keeper. The keeper often over hitting his kicks running straight through to Sam Cowler. The wingers for Phoenix looked lively and a dangerous run and cross from the left was superbly cleared just by Josh Gould to prevent a clear chance. A sublime pass from Luke Read nearly found Shamido Pedulu who hadn't read the through ball and this allowed the keeper to just reach the pass and cut out the danger. On the half hour mark the away side had their best spell and began to push Regent back a little and on 34 minutes got a lead that this play looked like creating. Good wing play again which Regent cleared but poorly and the ball was straight back to the left winger who crossed and found Stone in acres of space at the edge of the area, he controlled before fooling the defender and slotting into the bottom corner off the foot of the post to make it 0-1. Regent responded immediately and should have had an equaliser but Phil Kelly could only toe poke his shot wide from 6 yards. HT 0-1
Regent looked to respond but no sooner had the half started they were dealt two huge blows. On 50 minutes Matt Cripps was fouled but the Referee waved play on with the ball running through to the 7 who was then offside and he finished well to make it 0-2. Straight from the kick off and Regent were again appealing for an even more blatant foul when Josh Gould was caught after passing the ball, once again no foul coming and then Matt Cripps was caught delaying his pass and the Phoenix play strode forward to finish well again beyond Sam Cowler for 0-3. For any feeling it sounds like an excuse the game was filmed and both incidents are clearly shown as fouls with the second goal which even if you feel it isn't a foul shows the number 7 is therefore offside as it was felt it must be said at the time. The game was as good as over with Regent making their first change on 61 minutes with Jake Gould replacing Shamido Pedulu. Matt Cripps saw his header from a Ricky Griggs corner superbly cleared off the line by a Phoenix defender. The away side looking dangerous still on the break nearly got through again but for a superb block by Matt Cripps. On 68 minutes Regent made their second change with Warren Joseph replacing Phil Kelly. A good run and cross from Russell Malton was inches away from Terry Rymer who slid in trying to finish off inside the six yard box. Terry Rymer went closer still with a 25 yard strike from a free kick thudding against the crossbar with Jake Clowsley unable to snap up the rebound with the ball running into the path of the keeper. The final change with Dimitris Hadjiconstantinou replacing Terry Rymer on 81 minutes. A thoroughly disappointing game finished with no real further chances or incidents. FT 0-3
A lacklustre display by Regent who were out worked by the away side who fully deserved their win and controlled the style and shape of the game because of their desire around the pitch. Regent must look to react with another huge week coming us as this result leaves them 7th in the table.