Regent Battle Back Twice To Steal Draw

Brightlingsea Regent headed to South Essex to face a very good AFC Hornchurch side, with the first half very much one sided and Regent probably should have been out of sight going into the break.

After just 5 minutes AFC Hornchurch had a great chance to take the lead with their first attack when Kenzer Lee found space in the box from an Abs Thompson cross, which hit the inside of the post and thankfully found its way into Goalkeeper Ollie Bowles clutching hands.

Regent, who hardly threatened the Urchins goal, managed to create a chance after 13 minutes when a smart turn from Richardson on the edge of the area created some space to get an effort on goal but this was well saved by the AFC Hornchurch's Goalkeeper Sam Mott low to his right.

AFC Hornchurch continued to threaten the Regent end, with a series of crosses down the right by the speedy winger Abs Thompson. His first was a cross in the 21st minute which fell to David Knight whose half volley was pushed wide by Ollie Bowles, then just a minutes later, a similar cross was this time headed over by the Urchin's Ricky Freeman with the goal gleaming.

In the 36th minute AFC Hornchurch got the breakthrough, the ball was collected on the left side deep in the Regent half by Ricky Freeman, who got past Ricky Griggs and Matt Cripps before slotting his finish under Bowles from an acute angle to make it 1-0.

AFC Hornchurch could have doubled their lead in the 41st minute, as they continued to press and create chances. First an effort from David Knight was tipped over the bar spectacularly by Bowles, then from the resulting corner, Elliot Styles sprung the tallest and his unchallenged header went just over the bar, with Regent very lucky to go to the break just 1 goal adrift. HT 1-0

AFC Hornchurch were again quick off the mark again in the second half, in the 49th minute, Abs Thompson cleverly went past Jake Gould on the right hand side before finding his way into the box and shooting, but his effort was struck into the side of the netting.

In the 58th minute, Regent found an equaliser when Ricky Griggs got forward, after reverting to left back as Jake Gould was replaced by Malton, was wiped out by Nathan Cooper of AFC Hornchurch around 25 yards from goal. The free kick was taken quickly by Jake Turner and given to Tom Richardson whose whipped effort fooled everyone and found its way past Mott in goal. 1-1

Regent were not level for long, and AFC Hornchurch regained the lead just 7 minutes later when goalkeeper Sam Mott played the ball deep upfield and substitute JJ Da Cruz touched on to Ayrton Coley, who set off on a long solo run, which ended when he calmly placed his shot wide of Bowles and into the net. 2-1

Regent then started to rally for another equaliser, in the 73rd minute, Regent substitute Aaron Condon, who replaced Harry McDonald earlier on in the game. Started to run at the tiring AFC Hornchurch defence, he beat 3 players but his effort from 15 yards out lacked composure and whistled high over the bar.

In the 80th minute, Regent got back in the game. Jordan Blackwell making his R's Debut, Delivered a cross from a short taken corner and the Urchins Midfielder Kenzer Lee swung his leg at the ball on the edge of the 6 yard box, bouncing off his shin pad and ending up in the corner of Mott's goal. 2-2

Deep into injury time Regent very nearly snatched it, Baker Replaced Jake Turner in the 85th minute and was so close to becoming the hero. A cross from Jordan Blackwell met the head of Baker to flick towards goal with Mott pulling off an amazing save to scoop the ball round his near post and prevent an upset. FT 2-2

Regent - Bowles, Griggs, Jake Gould (Malton 54), Witherspoon, Josh Gould, Cripps ©, McDonald (Condon 65), Turner (Baker 88), Richardson, Kelly, Blackwell
Subs - Reakes
Goals - Richardson (57), Lee OG (80)

AFC Hornchurch - Mott, Collis, Bentley, Styles © (Goodacre 48), Cooper, Morrish, Thompson, Lee, Knight (Da Cruz 56), Freeman, Coley
Subs - Woodward, Agombar, Hursit
Goals - Freeman (36), Coley (65)
Bookings - Cooper (57)

Officials - Tom Bishop with Ashley Hickson-Levence and Luigi Ngarella
Attendance 144