Another good crowd at North Road witnessed a dominant display from a Brightlingsea Regent side that is growing in confidence and belief as they maintain the pressure on league leaders Maldon & Tiptree.

The R’s had beaten today’s visitors twice already this season with convincing victories in the Ryman North and in the Essex Senior Cup.The Millers would have been looking to avenge those defeats and get something on the road to help maintain their own slim play off ambitions.

It was apparent from early on in the game that it was going to be a long and difficult afternoon for Aveley as the home side started at good tempo with top goal scorer Aaron Condon forcing a save from Lamar Johnson in the Millers goal. Aveley were looking to counter on the break at every opportunity and they did offer some threat through Harry Gibbs whose runs down the right flank and crosses into the box showed intent but were not met by any of his team mates.

Sam Cowler in the Regent goal was called into action when Mason Bloomfield tried his luck from thirty yards his effort saved by the home stopper. Lamar Johnson was the busier of the two keepers and with the home fans in good voice it wasn’t long before more good chances came the R’s way.Tom Richardson missed a glaring opportunity from close range when he somehow managed to head over a Robbie Rees cross.

The Millers keeper then pulled off a series of amazing saves to deny three good efforts one after from close range to keep his side level.He then tipped over a Jake Turner shot from the edge of the area.It was looking more and more like Lamar Johnson versus Brightlingsea but the Aveley keeper and skipper couldn’t keep the R’s out forever and he eventually conceded.A long throw from Josh Gould caused all sorts of problems in the Aveley area with the visitors Tommy Spillane heading past his own keeper into the corner of
the net.1-0 Regent.

The visitors were still trying to settle again after the goal when just over a minute later Aaron Condon was slipped in and powered a shot past Johnson into the net. 2-0 Regent.

The second half began with Aveley making changes that they hoped could get them back into this game.Those plans were dashed when within just 5 minutes of the re start Regent scored their third.Phil Kelly went down with what appeared to be head injury.The referee played on and Aaron Condon took full advantage dribbling his way through the Aveley rear
guard before finishing smartly to make the score 3-0.

Aveley did start look more positive and dangerous from there on in but it was too little to late and it was left to James Webster and his staff to manage the game out. Aveley did manage to grab a consolation goal when a cross from Max Mitchell was put into his own net by Russell Malton.

In truth this was as comfortable a performance the R’s have had at home this season which would have pleased the home fans and the Regent Management team particularly with the tough run of games still to come.

R’s 3 Aveley 1

Gavin Aplin