The fixture computer overlooked this rationale when scheduling this game which saw The R’s and their travelling fans make the long trip to Dereham Town for what seemed like a rare league game given the recent run of cup encounters which had seen Brightlingsea Regents games in hand ratio creep up.

James Webster took strong side to Norfolk but was without striker Tom Richardson who had aggravated a shoulder injury. Ricky Griggs was also absent and Russell Malton once again stepped in at right back. A front three of Kelly, Rees and Condon looked to carry the attacking threat and with the ever dependable Turner and Witherspoon in midfield the energy of young Harry McDonald and an experienced back four which also saw Jake Gould returning from a groin strain the visitors would have fancied their chances against a Dereham Side that were sitting just below mid table and struggling to find consistency.

The early exchanges seemed to bear this out with Regent looking the sharper and more assured of the two teams. Time and again the red and blacks moved the ball smartly around Aldiss Park and created plenty of chances which saw the ball zip across the Dereham six yard box time and again missing an attackers outretched leg or the goal by just inches.

The visiting fans were in fine voice and these positive moments for Regent kept them singing. It only seemed a matter of time before the Dereham defence would be breached and the long journey would pay dividends. Josh Glover in the Magpies goal was kept busy as the visitors got some shots on target but couldn't quite find the quality to beat him.

The danger in having so much domination and chances but failing to convert them is that your opponent's must eventually have one of their own and so it happened that just before the end of this decent but frustrating half of football for Brightlingsea the home side broke out of defence and put The R’s under some sustained pressure. Regent failed to deal with it and in the ensuing penalty box melee Dan Beeson looked to have brought down Dereham striker Ryan Crisp. The referee pointed to the spot. Penalty to Dereham. Harley Black steps up for the home side and converts the spot kick. 1-0 to Dereham and as the teams head for he dressing rooms Brightlingsea players and fans are left wondering how they can be losing after such a dominating first half performance. Once again they must come from behind.

The 188 fans watching this game in the gloom at Aldiss Park were further put in the dark as one set of floodlights failed on the far side of the pitch. Fans were left wondering if the referee and his assistants would take issue with this but they seemed happy to carry on despite it becoming more and more difficult to see in that area of the ground. Despite the dim conditions Regent started the half brightly and on sixty eight minutes a Matt Cripps through ball was latched on to by Aaron Condon who took it well and headed for goal. As he broke into the Dereham box shrugging of a challenge he slipped the ball confidently passed Glover to level the scores.1-1.

The good vibe amongst the travelling fans was soon dampened as just two minutes later Harley Black got his and Dereham Town’s second. The visiting fans were still in good voice and urging their team on to get something from this game. A game that they still felt they could win. Dereham were still looking shaky at the back and as Condon once again broke into the area he was tumbled over by a clumsy challenge. Penalty to Brightlingsea. Despite the protests from the home side the opportunity was there to once again level the game. Aaron Condon who had missed his last penalty kick against Phoenix stepped up to take it. As he struck the ball sweetly into the Dereham goal you could sense the relief amongst the travelling fans happy that they would be taking a much deserved point back to Essex.

As the inky black skies closed in around Aldiss Park Dereham made one last attack down their left flank under the broken floodlight. As figures challenged in the gloom Harley Black cut in side on to his right foot and unleashed a fantastic shot which curled just inside the far post of Dan Beesons goal leaving the Regent keeper with no chance. As the Dereham players ran to celebrate with their hat trick hero Brightlingsea hearts were broken. With just injury time to play surely they couldn’t come back again.

The referee blew his whistle and called time on a five goal Boxing Day thriller which left Webster and his men once again rueing missed opportunities and letting the opposition back into a game they had no right to win.