This was a game that had attracted the attention of the entire division not to mention other interested parties among the crowd of 174 that had made the journey to The Len Salmon Stadium for this key clash between two teams that were looking to make a statement regarding their promotion credentials. Bowers had been on a good run until their last two games which had seen them losing to Witham and Thamesmead. They were sitting in fifth place before this game just two points behind third place Brightlingsea Regent who were surely relishing this opportunity to open up a real gap between themselves and the chasing pack, still having games in hand on the teams around them.

Both these teams like to play football and the crowd were anticipating a lively and entertaining encounter. James Webster had to make a couple of changes to the previous game. George Doyle starting in midfield alongside Jake Turner due to the withdrawal of Connor Witherspoon who had aggravated a calf injury and Russell Malton once again stepping in at right back replacing the injured Ricky Griggs.

There are always plenty of goals when Regent are in town but few would have anticipated one coming so early in this game. It was the home side who went ahead when the referee, who went on to have a very busy night ,awarded Bowers a penalty after just two minutes. Brad Warner stepped up and made it 1-0.

Despite the initial set back back Brightlingsea took the game to Bowers with Aaron Condon and Tom Richardson both looking lively and causing problems for the home defense time and again. Regent were looking to get their passing game going and beginning to move the ball quickly around the park. The visitors were creating plenty of half chances and it only seemed a matter of time before they would find an equalizer. Russell Malton also got in on the act from right back when from just inside the Bowers half his long range effort left Lewis Greene stranded in the home goal. The keeper could only watch as the ball sailed over his head before hitting the bar and being cleared.

Bowers had been one of the best teams to visit North Road earlier in the season and carried a dangerous attacking threat of their own particularly through the lively and pacey Alfie Hilton. The game was being played at frantic pace and the referee was kept busy as one or two niggly fouls crept in as players from both sides were brought down with both sets of supporters making their views known in no uncertain terms. It wasn’t long before Brightlingsea had a decent penalty shout of their own. There was certainly an argument for one as it looked from some angles that Tom Richardson had been clipped inside the area. The call was a tight one though and the referee signaled for a free kick just outside the box.

The disappointment at not getting the penalty was further compounded when the home side were awarded their second spot kick on thirty one minutes .Once again Brad Warner took the kick. 2-0. The visitors were feeling a little hard done by at some of the officials decisions and skipper Matt Cripps ended up in the book for his protests.

Despite the chances and decent performance Regent were once again chasing a game. However they would be confident of getting more chances against a Bowers back four that were being exposed at times by the R’s front line. As the game was reaching half time the game seemed to swing in Regent’s favour when Bowers midfielders Callum Leahy was sent off for a late and reckless challenge.

Five minutes later and with the referee looking at his watch Tom Richardson once again broke into the Bowers area. A clumsy challenge saw the referee point to the penalty spot for the third time in the half and Aaron Condon gave the keeper no chance to make it 2-1 at the half.

Brightlingsea and their travelling fans could have been forgiven for thinking the game had turned in their favour but a goal less than minute after the restart by Bowers number nine David Knight meant that once again the visitors had a two goal deficit to claw back. What followed was arguably some of the most mature and best football the R’s had produced all season. Moving the ball sweetly around the park when in possession and pressing hard when not, the energy and quality of the football was excellent. The R’s fans were in good voice and this spurred the red and black shirts to take the game to Bowers who seemed to be sitting deep and happy to consolidate their lead and play on the break. The visitors made the perfect response when on forty eight minutes Aaron Condon score his twenty sixth goal of the season.3-2.

Brightlingsea were now on top having the bulk of possession against ten man Bowers who although still carrying a threat on the counter were looking tired on what was a heavy pitch.

Phil Kelly was replaced by Shamido Pedulu the fresh legs of the pacey and tricky winger added more problems for a defence that was under constant pressure. It was Pedulu who won a corner despite the ball looking like it had not touched a Bowers player. The protests from the home players had barely died down when Tom Richardson scored from the resulting opportunity on sixty eight minutes to put the teams level. Before the game Regent would perhaps have settled for a point. But you could sense the game was their’s for the taking and take it they did when just five minutes later Tom Richardson met a cross at the far post to head the R’s ahead for the first time in the game and it was a lead they were to keep particularly as Bowers lost another player on ninety minutes when Ross Adams was given his marching orders.

As the referee blew for time Regent had opened up a five point gap between themselves and their opponents whilst closing the gap on those above sending a strong message to the rest of the division that Brightlingsea Regent could be serious contenders for the play offs this year.