Late Goal Wins It For Vistors!

Brightlingsea Regent hosted visitors Tilbury looking to put the previous Tuesday evenings frustrating performance away at Norwich United behind them and bounce back with a win against the team from South Essex.The visiting “dockers” were looking to continue their four game unbeaten run and the fans that turned up at North Road were looking forward to a pulsating Essex derby.

Brightlingsea made one change to the eleven that started away at Norwich Utd with Connor Witherspoon returning to the midfield and captain Matt Cripps dropping once again into the back four at the expense of Josh
Gould who was named as a substitute.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides trying to stamp their authority and take the initiative.During these early exchanges it was the visitors who made the most of their first real opportunity when danger man Emiel Aiken finished smartly on 12 minutes.
Brightlingsea were trying to get their passing game going and set a high tempo but were frustrated time and again by some niggling Tilbury challenges which kept the referee busy,booking three of the visitors in less than seven minutes.Tilbury’s players and fans were becoming more and more upset at the man in middles decisions and the game became more and more scrappy as every other tackle seemed to court controversy

.There were few moments of quality with Regent failing to hold the ball in the final third and unable to create much from open play and Tilbury looking to get the ball to Aiken at every opportunity.Tilbury were still berating the officials when a Brightlingsea attack led to a clumsy challenge in the visitors box and the under fire referee pointing to the spot.In form striker Aaron Condon stepped up and smashed the ball confidently into the net to make it 1-1.

Tilbury seemed to lose focus at this point and let their frustrations take over giving away free kicks and creating opportunities for Brightlingsea.The home side came close from several of these as the quality of delivery tested the visitors defence with both Matt Cripps and Adam Reakes going close.As the half drew to a close the home side were awarded yet another free kick on the edge of the Tilbury box.Aaron Condon stepped up and fired a tremendous effort which beat the keeper into his right hand corner to make it 2-1 to Brightlingsea at half time.

The second half continued in much the same way with both sides fighting for possession and looking for the edge in this tight contest.The referee was still being kept busy and it was during some Tilbury pressure in the Brightlingsea box that a swinging Regent leg clearing the ball brought down a Tilbury attacker.Tilbury appealed and after a long pause and protests from both sides the referee pointed to the spot.The Dockers number eleven Kurt Smith took the spot kick and levelled the scores much to the delight of the visiting fans.

Both Managers looked to make changes to win this tight affair with James Webster introducing Shamido Pedulu and Harry MacDonald.Tilburys boss also made a change and as the game was heading towards the draw it was this substitution that broke Brightlingsea hearts.Dwade James coming off the bench with just a few minutes to go pounced on a loose ball in the Brightlingsea area swivelled and finished coolly to give the visitors a 3-2 victory.

Despite the five goals and much incident this was far from a classic performance for either side with the moments of quality few and far between.

Tilbury continue their unbeaten run and sit sixth in the league.For Brightlingsea Regent it has been a testing few days from the highs of Phoenix United to the disappointments of the last two games.They will be desperate to make amends when Haringey Borough visit on Tuesday night.

Report Written By Gavin Aplin