Points shared in crunch game

Brightlingsea Regent travelled to Cheshunt for their latest league game and a mouth watering match up with the hosts occupying the last play off spot, two places and three points above Regent who have one game in hand so a huge game for both sides. The improving facilities at Cheshunt are really showing the ambition of the club and are beginning to be up there with the best in the league for me. The home side hadn't been defeated since losing to Regent 3-2 at the end of January winning five on the bounce whilst Regent had suffered three defeats since that come back victory.
Webster was without the suspended Josh Gould who had before the game played in every one of the previous 44 games in the Regent season and were dealt further blows with Ricky Griggs unable to play after receiving a heavy knock in Tuesday's game he was unable to start despite heavy strapping, his injury was too severe and Lamell Howell still not being fit enough to be named so a late change in the starting team and Ronnie Heather then stepping into the squad.
This game finished all square and despite being reduced to 10 men after just 5 minutes the draw was a fair result with both sides working extremely hard which made the game scrappy at times but never the less a good game with plenty of talking points.

The game started at a fast pace and the home side were reduced to 10 men after just 5 minutes. The full back and Terry Rymer tussling for the ball before the defender kicked out at Terry Rymer after the ball was cleared, despite minimal contact the Referee correctly deeming the intent worthy of a red card. Despite this the home side had the momentum and took the lead on 9 minutes. Sam Cowler diving to his right to superbly save a shot from the edge of the area, the Cheshunt attacker was quickest to react and his cross was bundled home by Bolle despite heavy pressure to make it 1-0. A set piece delivery shortly after found the skipper Kendall but his header was over the bar. Regent slowly settled but it wasn't till midway through the half when they created their first opening, a pass found Shamido Pedulu who beat the defender but his shot from a tight angle was comfortably blocked by the legs of the keeper. Russell Malton and Shamido Pedulu combined well just a minute later with Russell delivering a lovely cross that was inches too high for the rising Terry Rymer. Both sides were working very hard and with the pressure it meant at times the play was scrappy with both teams struggling to find any real fluidity. On 43 minutes Regent had an equaliser, a superb pass from Luke Read found Phil Kelly who collected the ball before striding forward and hitting a rasping strike beyond the keeper from just inside the left hand side of the area rising into the roof of the net for 1-1. This lifted Regent and just before the interval a pass into Terry Rymer saw him wriggle beyond the skipper before being pulled down some 30 yards from goal, the Referee deciding the two closest defenders were in a position to warrant it being only a yellow card. The resulting free kick was deflected and collected easily by the keeper. HT 1-1
The second half again was similar to the first and despite their 10 men it was still even and scrappy at times although Regent did create the slightly better chances. The home side created the first chance but a stinging strike from the edge of the area was well blocked by Jake Gould. Luke Read made a superb third man run to find his way through on goal but the keeper was out quick to smother the shot and clear to safety. The home side brought their new signing on after 55 minutes and Frendo was straight into the action firing high over the bar after neat link up play. Phil Kelly was then played through but from a tight angle his shot was easily held by the keeper. Regent made their first change on 60 minutes with Charlie Durling replacing Shamido Pedulu. Charlie was straight into the action playing a good cross into Russell Malton but the home defence cleared well. Jake Clowsley then saw his header loop over the far post from a Russell Malton cross which seemed to take ages to come down. Terry Rymer was then replaced on 75 minutes with Keiron Baker coming on and a slight change in shape which did allow Regent to gain better possession. Jake Clowsley again going close but his strike whistled over the crossbar. The home side still looked threatening and the substitute Coley added pace to their front line. A coming together between Matt Cripps and Coley saw the Referee judge it as accidental although looking like a push with Coley crossing to Frendo who headed past Sam Cowler to make it 2-1 on 87 minutes. Regent responded well and got the equaliser in the 90th minutes, once again a lovely pass from Luke Read found Phil Kelly who held off the defender before slotting past the keeper to make it 2-2. Neither side were able to create anything with the remaining time as both sides had to settle for a point. FT 2-2
A game with no quarter given by either side. Regent finding it hard to get any real rhythm in the game and despite playing against ten men for the majority of the game a fair result and a good point for the R's. Ten games left and each one getting bigger by the week.