Brightlingsea Regent's biggest crowd of the season so far packed into North Road for this much anticipated top of the table clash in the Ryman North between league leaders Maldon & Tiptree and second placed Regent.

The Jammers were coming into this game after suffering their first home defeat of the season against ten man Bowers & Pitsea the previous Saturday. That result together with Thurrock’s defeat against Brentwood had elevated the Rs to their highest league position and with two games still in hand on Maldon set the scene for a potentially thrilling encounter.

James Webster was again without Jake Gould but with Ricky Griggs and new signing Pip Boyland at full backs his biggest concern was potentially Phil Kelly failing a late injury test and pulling out with a calf injury. The Rs squad has good depth to it now and would be looking to show the rest of the league just how good their promotion credentials are. Maldon were certainly not taking this game lightly drafting in Colchester United’s Femi Akinwande on loan to start up front partnering Liam Nash.

As the game kicked off it was clear from the opening exchanges that this was going to be a tight affair with clear chances few and far between. However it was the home team that were posing the most threat whenever they were able to get decent possession looking to open the play by getting the ball into wide areas for Aaron Condon and Tom Richardson to exploit. Maldon were looking to get in behind a Regent defence that had struggled to keep a clean sheet all season and time and again keeper Daniel Wilkes kicked deep looking for a flick on that would allow Akinwande or Nash in behind. Brightlingsea were dealing with the threat admourably with Cripps and Gould giving the Jammers potent strike threat very little in the way of opportunities.

The Maldon keeper was definitely the busier of the two keepers and made a great save from Tom Richardson on 20 minutes and not long after Aaron Condon was denied when Wilkes once again saved assisted by full back Curtis Haynes Brown who made a brave block. Regent were also ahead in the corner and set piece count but Maldon have a well organised and disciplined back line and it was proving difficult to create a clear cut chance to take the lead. As half time approached it looked likely that the team that could manufacture one decent chance and take it would go on to claim the three points.

As the second half got under way it was once again a tense and tight contest but Regent were getting more breaks of the ball. Connor Witherspoon was a driving force in a Brightlingsea Midfield that was working its socks off to deny and stifle any Maldon possession. It was one of these breaks of possession that saw the ball find Tom Richardson out wide, Maldon defenders challenged but the Rs number nine was just too strong and his cross eventually found young Harry MacDonald unmarked who looked odds on to score only to be denied by a magnificent reaction save from Wilks.

With Aaron Condon striking a good effort narrowly wide not long after it was the home side that were continuing to carve out the better chances. Tricky winger Shamido Pedulu replaced Harry MacDonald and he was soon on the ball and in the action creating problems for a Maldon defence that was begining to look vulnerable. Pedulu's pace got him in behind and with Condon unmarked at the far post his cross was too high and long but the warning signs for Maldon were there.

The Jammers have real quality up front and as the game approached the last twenty minutes they created arguably their best chances only to find Regent keeper Sam Cowler in top form saving low and to his right to deny substitute Rhys Henry before doing the same with Femi Akinwandes deflected shot. Brightlingsea's magnificent team display had kept the game tight and as a frustrated Maldon team organised to defend a Josh Gould long throw routine the Rs got the goal most observers would argue they deserved. As the ball was launched towards the near post Tom Richardson was first to the ball and his header found the net.1-0 Regent.

As the home crowd celebrated and ramped up the noise that had been constant from the first whistle the Brightlingsea players continued to work hard all across the pitch to hold on to a famous victory. Maldon did come come close again in the final minutes of the game. Sam Cowler saving a twenty five yard effort from Adam Mills.

Referee Rick Bloy blew the final whistle and North Road erupted. As players and fans celebrated together Regent had closed the gap to just three points still with games in hand on the Jammers who will now be looking over their shoulders at their North Essex Rivals.

Gavin Aplin