When these teams met in the reverse fixture back in September Norwich put four past an Rs team that just didn’t turn up on the night.A disappointing display back then really hurt the team and the supporters who had made the journey to Norfolk.Since then James Webster and his team have risen up the league table going on a superb unbeaten run of games and pushing hard for promotion.Norwich meanwhile had struggled to find consistency and sat twelve points behind in mid table.Webster was once again missing some first team regulars with Ricky Griggs, Jake Gould and Jake Turner all unavailable but this Regent squad has some real depth and quality now and on a freezing night at North Road would be looking for another three points.

In a game of two half's the first of this game was largely unforgettable. The home side looked fairly comfortable but were sitting deeper than usual or so it looked and any attacking play failed to create any chances of note due to lack of bodies getting in behind an organised Norwich back four.The visitors seemed happy to play on the break and being direct in their play creating only one real chance which was well dealt with by Sam Cowler.

The second half saw Regent up their tempo and look sharper around the park.The Rs were getting more players forward quicker and Andy Wilton in the Planters goal was being called into action more and more and it was the Norwich keeper who was to have a massive impact on this game.On the hour mark Josh Gould wound up and delivered a long throw towards the Norwich goal.Wilton was impeded by his own centre half Sam Watts at the near post and the keeper could only get a hand on the ball as it went straight into the net.1-0 Regent.

Just eight minutes later Aaron Condon scored a wonderful goal curling the ball in with his left foot to make it 2-0.United were rocked by the two quick strikes and on seventy three minutes Tom Richardson continued his goal scoring form by notching Regents third and putting the game beyond Norwich.Christy Finch did pull back a consolation goal on eighty four minutes but Regent had secured the three points fairly comfortable and on a cold night in North Essex closed the gap on second placed Thurrock.

Gavin Aplin