Aveley Foured By Stunning Regent

Sometimes when it comes together it really does come together and despite a very early set back in this Ryman North Clash away
at Aveley it proved to be a fantastic day for Brightlingsea Regent and their travelling army of fans.

Manager James Webster kept the same starting eleven that had dominated much of the previous game at home to Great Wakering making changes only to the bench with Russell Malton and the returning Tom Richardson replacing Adam Reakes and Mekhi McKenzie.

That early set back came with only 3 minutes played when Aveley number 11 George Pullen notched past a shocked Regent defence that clearly hadn't got out of the traps quick enough.You could sense a little anxiety amongst the travelling support surely this couldn't be another Norwich United type of game? However the home sides early strike only served to unleash the Brightlingsea beast and from giving away that early goal the visitors never looked back.

Regent started taking the game to Aveley like a boxer jabbing away at their opponent sensing that an opening for a knock out punch would come. Again Turner and Witherspoon were providing the engine room with Pedulu providing pace supported by the ever willing Ricky Griggs down the right flank causing problems whenever they doubled up on the home sides fullback.This threat finally paid dividends when the ball found Phil Kelly in the home sides penalty area centre of goal and a few yards out. He controlled the ball and with his next touch steered it low in to the Aveley net on 7 minutes.

Now deservedly back on level terms and on the front foot, Brightlingsea started playing with a real freedom and although there
were no more goals in the first half you the visiting fans could sense more chances would come. And in a game where if you were
late taking your seat or place on the terrace you would miss a goal it happened again.

The second half was barely 3 minutes old when the hard working and consistent play maker Jake Turner scored to make it 2-1 to the visitors. This second goal seemed to knock some of the stuffing out of the home side and although Aveley created some half chances they never had a real opportunity to trouble Ollie Bowles and the Regent net. The visiting fans were also dominating on the terraces showing their tremendous support and clearly spurring their team on to better things.

Brightlingsea pressure again paid off when Sherwin Stanley the Aveley number 9 converted past his own keeper whilst helping out his back four. Phil Kelly rounded off the scoring to make it 4-1 on 57 minutes to further cement the rest of the game developed into a slightly scrappy affair with Aveley devoid of any real threat and Regent able to manage the game comfortably.

As the travelling fans turned up the volume to celebrate their teams performance and three league wins in a row they could look forward to 3 more points and a trip to the Met Police in the FA Trophy. The feel good factor is definitely back at North Road.

Report By Gavin Aplin