Brightlingsea Regent and their travelling fans made the journey to South Essex for this fixture against the division’s bottom team looking to remain unbeaten during the month of January and to keep the pressure on the two teams above them whilst maintaining a healthy gap to the chasing play off pack.

Ricky Griggs returned from injury to start at left back, Connor Witherspoon partnered skipper Matt Cripps at centre half with George Doyle taking a central midfield role.The Rs bench saw the welcome return of Jake Clowsley and a new face in Brandon McCarthy who joins the club from Crystal Palace.

The match also saw the first appearance of Regents new away strip and as James Webster watched from the stand having being suspended for this game he would have been hoping it would spur his team on against a Rovers side fighting for their lives.The home team had a decent attacking threat of their own in recent signing Jamie Guy and would be hoping he could score the goals to keep them in the division.The visiting Regent fans were as always in good voice but as their team settled into the first half it was the hosts that looked the livelier with ex Brightlingsea player Jake Gordon having a good early chance only to be denied by a fantastic block from Ricky Griggs. This seemed to serve as a wake up call for Regent and a period of pressure and series of corners saw a Phil Kelly header go wide.The Rs were starting to get more into this game but still looked vulnerable on the break and Wakering again go close.The shot going high over the bar.The home side were left to rue their missed opportunities when on 23 minutes an Aaron Condon corner was headed downwards and goalwards by Tom Richardson. Dylan Skinner in the Rovers goal could only parry the ball into his own net and despite the effort looking on target.1-0 Regent.

Despite this set back the home side kept looking to create chances and on 31 minutes Gordon once again gets in on goal only to be denied by an excellent save from Sam Cowler. The game was far from being a classic but Brightlingsea’s second goal on 40 minutes would have graced any fixture.The visitors are awarded a free kick some twenty five yards from goal.Jake Turner and Aaron Condon stand over the ball and as Turner chip the ball up Condon volleys it into the Wakering goal.A fantastic strike and beautifully executed free kick routine that leaves the Rovers goalkeeper no chance.2-0 Regent. The home side suffer a further blow when striker Jamie Guys hobbles off injured to play no further part in the game.

Half Time 2-0 Regent.

Brightlingsea start the second half brightly and on 58 minutes should have had their third goal.Richardson and Condon combine to break the offside trap only for Condon to shoot wide.The Brightlingsea bench replace George Doyle with Harry MacDonald on the hour mark and as the visitors continue to create chances it only seems a matter of time before they score the all important third that would surely put the game beyond Rovers.However although the chances do come, first to Phil Kelly who can only shoot straight at the keeper and then to Condon who pulls his effort wide the score stays at 2-0. Brandon McCarthy replaces Condon on 74 minutes to make his Regent debut and help the Rs see out the game. Brightlingsea are working hard to keep possession but one or two tired looking passes keep letting Great Wakering in and on 79 minutes the home side conjure an opportunity for Jake Gordon who loops the ball over Sam Cowler and into the net.2-1.

Great Wakering are picking up free kicks around the Regent penalty area and it is all hands to the pump as Brightlingsea look to hold on.The Rs final substitution sees Josh Gould replace Tom Richardson and his aerial presence is much needed as Rovers make one last push for an equaliser.As the game moves into a long period of time added on Great Wakering win a corner.As the visiting fans keep singing whilst nervously checking watches the home keeper runs up field to join the fray. The corner is dealt with and as the ball is cleared the referee finally blows for time.Results from the other games start coming in and it soon becomes clear that with both Maldon and Thurrock losing the R's are now second.An historical moment for this North Essex club and one that makes the next fixture against league leaders Maldon & Tiptree even more mouth watering.

Gavin Aplin