Regent Go 6 Clear At The Top

Driving rain and icy cold weather greeted the players and 140 spectators that attended this Ryman League North Division fixture at North Road on Tuesday evening. Brightlingsea playing what was their final game in hand with the opportunity to open up a six point lead on their North Essex rivals and long time league leaders Maldon & Tiptree. The R’s were still without top goalscorer Aaron Condon so new signing Billy Hunt once again partnered Tom Richardson up top. Soham had given the R’s a real scare in the reverse fixture with only a late Condon goal securing a point.

The game kicked off in what were testing conditions for both sides and to their credit both teams did try and move the ball when opportunity allowed. These opportunities were however few and far between and ball spent a lot of time in the hustle and bustle of a midfield where the conditions made control of the ball difficult. This arguably led to the first major moment of the half. Regent skipper Matt Cripps lost control of the ball and in trying to reclaim possession launched into a tackle that in the referee’s opinion warranted a straight red. As Cripps walked away towards the tunnel and an early shower James Webster rearranged his team leaving just Tom Richardson up top.

You could forgive the Regent faithful for being a little concerned at this point but the R’s are made of strong stuff and the work rate and commitment of the ten men was a credit. They continued to press and be positive looking to get at a Soham back line that was at times
struggling to cope with the physical presence of Richardson who didn’t give them a moment’s rest all night. This persistence by Brightlingsea paid off on fourteen minutes when a Richardson pass found Billy Hunt in space in the Soham Box. As he shaped to get a shot off it looked like the angle may be against him but he fired a terrific shot across the Rangers keeper into the corner of the net.1-0 Regent.

Brightlingsea’s hard running and work rate was causing problems for Soham who were trying hard to make the most of having the extra
man. Every time they looked to find some space the tireless Jake Turner was there to break up the play and drive Regent on. The R’s were all putting in some terrific performance given the circumstances and conditions when on the half hour they got more reward. Robbie Rees delivered a lovely cross which was met by Tom Richardson who headed home from close
range.

The Regent number nine was leading the line well and he had further chances to score seeing a lobbed effort sail over the bar after he had broken clear of the visitors back line. Soham had not made the long journey for nothing and they were battling hard to get a foothold back in the game. Their chance came just before the break when Cemal Ramadan finished from close range to set up a nervy second half for the home side.

The second half carried on in much the same vain with Regent looking to defend their slim advantage. Webster introduced Connor Hogan to replace Bill Hunt and the box to box midfielder almost had an immediate impact seeing his shot saved well by Conroy in the
Rangers goal. As the rain got steadily worse Regent kept pressing looking for the all important third goal and it came courtesy of Tom Richardson on seventy four minutes.Man of the match Jake Turner swung a corner into the visitors area and the number nine got his
second of the game to give the R’s another three points.

Brightlingsea have seen a massive nineteen point swing to overtake Maldon who were at one point thirteen points clear. The statistics will mean little to James Webster and his staff with nine tough games still to come starting at home to promotion chasing Thurrock on Saturday.

Gavin Aplin