All good things come to an end or so the saying goes and so it proved to be in this seven goal thriller that saw the R's fantastic unbeaten run finally come to an end against the team from southeast London. The two teams had met earlier in the season when Phoenix were riding high in the league and Brightlingsea were sitting in mid table looking to kick start their season. The 3-0 victory for the R's that day helped to propel Regent up the table and since then both clubs have seen their fortunes reversed with Phoenix dropping down the league and Webster's men enjoying a tremendous run of games which saw them come into this encounter in second place.

James Webster once again had to juggle his back four and make changes with Jake Gould still absent with a groin injury and Russell Moulton having to pull out due to sickness.This meant Doyle being dragged into defence.There was another start for Harry McDonald and with Tom Richardson on the bench following his return from a shoulder injury Phil Kelly started up front.

Brightlingsea certainly started the game brightly and although the early exchanges were scrappy it was the home side that looked like settling the better of the two teams. The lively Robbie Rees was giving the Phoenix right back a torrid early few minutes and it was from an attack down the Phoenix right flank that saw Brightlingsea take the lead on five minutes. The ball found its way to Phil Kelly who was left one on one with Phillips in the visitors goal.Philbo smashed the ball home.

A fantastic start and the home fans could be forgiven for thinking another comfortable win was on the cards.However the R's have not been as convincing in their performances at home and this fact was borne out when Phoenix equalised just a few minutes later. The visitors were starting to look more threatening particularly when they were able to deliver crosses into the Regent box and it was a ball driven in from the right wing that found the head of Phoenix Sports number eleven Dajon Golding unmarked in the R's area.1-1.

Phoenix continued to push forward and were winning a number of corners and free kicks as the home side defended desperately and tried to regain their composure.
Phoenix took full advantage of this period of dominance when they scored their second goal.A slightly dubious free kick was awarded on the right hand side and as the home fans were berating the referee and the Phoenix player taking the kick for stealing a few extra yards the ball was swung in towards the Regent goal. Jack Barry met the ball first and headed home making it 2-1 to Phoenix.

With Brightlingsea looking in disarray Phoenix once again took full advantage when just a few minutes later they made it 3-1 when a long range effort was deflected past Ollie Bowles in the Regent goal. The match had been completely turned on its head and as the Brightlingsea players took their positions for the restart the game looked dead and buried. However this Regent team had proved before that they had the guts and heart to keep going and there was a feeling around the ground that the visitors defence was shaky under pressure and that there were would be more opportunities for the R's. However a further blow for the home side came when keeper Ollie Bowles who had been injured when challenging for the cross which had led to the visitors second goal had to be taken off. Dan Beeson replaced him in the Regent goal and he was soon picking the ball out of the net Another ball across the Regent box wasn’t dealt with and Dajon Golding scored his second and Phoenix’s fourth to surely put this game to bed.

However as the officials were set to bring this amazing half to an end Brightlingsea conjured up a chance of their own. Ricky Griggs was able to cross into the the Phoenix box and Robbie Rees volleyed home to make it 4-2 at half time and offer the home team a glimmer of hope and perhaps put some doubt in the visitors heads.

The second half started with Tom Richardson replacing Connor Witherspoon who had been struggling with a sickness bug of his own and had done well to last to half time. Tom Richardson looked ready to take the fight to the visitors and salvage this game for the R's and it was the Brightlingsea number nine who scored an absolute stunning goal firing the ball high into the Phoenix net from 20 yards leaving the keeper no chance. It was the visitors who now looked deflated and as wave after wave of Regent pressure began to build the home side now had the momentum and were starting to win corners and set pieces of their own. Although still looking dangerous and capable of scoring on the break the visitors were being put under more and more pressure.The homes fans were beginning to believe and North Road was rocking.

The defining moment came when a Jake Turner shot was blocked by a defenders hand and the referee pointed to the spot.Penalty to Brightlingsea. Top scorer Aaron Condon stepped up and looked to place the ball low into the keepers right hand corner. Despite placing the shot well it didn't have enough power and the Phoenix keeper guessed right and tipped the ball away. The R's continued to work hard and chase an equalizer but after a disappointing first half they had left themselves just too much to do. The visitors held on and as the final whistle blew their relief and celebrations were in sharp contrast to the Brightlingsea Players who hadn't tasted defeat in the league for a long time.

James Webster and his staff will no doubt be pleased with the second half reaction from his team and will look to take the positives in to Tuesday nights cup game against Billericay.