REGENT FACE UPHILL BATTLE TO MAKE PLAY OFFS

After the defeat to Wroxham and given the league table placings of both these teams, it was surely going to be the pivotal weekend in the race for fifth place.

Brightlingsea now need to win their remaining three games and hope for Hornchurch to make enough slips as well as Cheshunt to slip up to stand any chance of extending the season as only fifth place can now be mathematically achieved for the R's. If the season was to have another dramatic twist then Thamesmead on the last day could still give either or both the outside possibility of fifth place but Hornchurch are in pole position.

Sam Cowler was the first keeper called into action when he needed to tip over his bar with the outstretched right hand, Hornchurch came close again not long after from David Knight who sneaked a shot towards goal from close range under pressure from the attempted block from Josh Gould.

Regent almost got the goal they so badly needed when a Josh Gould header in the box wrong footed the Urchins keeper Sam Mott but the post came to his rescue and the rebound was out of the reach of Matt Cripps as Hornchurch cleared.

The second half was just over a quarter of an hour old when a push in the box by Jake Gould handed the hosts a penalty and George Purcell drilled the ball home with power to give the Urchins a 63rd minute lead.

Russell Malton saw a looping header clear the bar (pictured) as Regent looked for an equaliser but Hornchurch went closer to a second when Charlie Durling standing just in front of his keeper needed to head clear from his goalmouth after a Nathan Cooper headed effort.

Hornchurch doubled the lead eight minutes after taking the lead when David Knight let fly with a tremendous shot from the right which flew into the top left corner giving Cowler no chance.

Russell Malton gave the defence a scare with a powerful shot from inside the box which was blocked on the line and attempts to convince the Referee that the ball had crossed the line were in vain whilst there were long range efforts through a crowd of players from Jake Phillips that ended up being comfortable for Sam Mott.

Five minutes of added time failed to find Regent a lifeline that would have set up a grandstand finish, if only the first half effort onto the post had tucked itself in, Hornchurch would have been given a sterner test given Regent had matched their hosts in the first half.

Att: 180

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