Regent arrived at Coles Park expecting a tough time against the league’s in-form team, the home side scoring for fun on their 3G pitch with big wins against Soham, Phoenix Sports, Bury and Heybridge in recent weeks. The game, played in glorious North London sunshine and a strong wind, was watched by Haringey Borough’s biggest crowd of the season.

Webster named a mainly unchanged side that faced Bury Town the previous week with Robbie Rees replacing Billy Hunt in the starting line-up, Connor Witherspoon partnering Josh Gould in defense once again with Matt Cripps serving the final game of his three match suspension.

Regent got off to the best start possible in this tricky encounter after 4 minutes when an in-swinging corner found Josh Gould at the far post, the big central defender out-jumping three Haringey defenders and the keeper to nod the ball in the top corner. 0-1 Regent.

Regent should have been 2-up a few minutes later when a beautifully weighted free kick from the left by Jake Turner found Tom Richardson, unmarked in the box, which he buried with aplomb, only to find the linesman had flagged him for offside, much to the disbelief of a lot of the travelling R’s fans and probably some of the home crowd too. Video of the disallowed goal shows Tom well onside when the free kick was taken.

On 15 minutes Tom was replaced by Billy Hunt, with what looked like a painful injury. Hopefully he will make a quick recovery.

Regent continued to threaten the Boro goal with a long range effort from Connor Hogan and Aaron Condon just over-running the ball when running through on goal.

As the half carried on, Haringey began to find their feet in the game, looking dangerous on the attack but still vulnerable at the back. It was easy to see why so many sides had struggled against them with fast, attacking football causing trouble on both flanks for Regent. The Haringey midfield were beginning to outwork Regent and it was through Regent losing the ball in the centre of midfield that Haringey equalised in the 28th minute, Ralston Gabriel picking up a loose ball and playing in Chris Benjamin who scored from the right-hand edge of the six yard box, Sam Cowler getting a strong arm to the shot but unable to deny the Haringey no. 9’s low drive. HT 1-1

It didn’t take long for Regent to regain the lead with a well-crafted goal three minutes into the second half. While most of the R’s support were still filtering into the ground via the bar (Eds Note: Guilty!), a training ground rehearsed free kick caught the Haringey defence off-guard, the ball being crossed in from the left, headed onto the bar, Josh Gould being first to the rebound and scoring from close range. 1-2

Regent finally began to take a hold of the game, Phil Kelly having a goal ruled out by the offside flag, another contentious decision. A third goal was soon to follow. On 58 minutes, a long throw by Josh Gould was latched on to by Billy Hunt with his back to goal, cleverly volleying the ball over his shoulder, his looping effort finding the back of the net. 1-3

On 64 minutes, Haringey brought on Adrian Markus and this gave them fresh impetus as they tried to pull back the two goal deficit. Russell Malton replaced Jake Gould on 67 minutes to give the Regent defence fresh legs but this didn’t prevent Haringey pulling back a goal on 78 minutes, Adrian Markus heading in from a soft free kick. 2-3

Regent’s defence held firm during a nervy last 12 minutes as Haringey went all out for the equaliser and there was a collective sigh of relief from the large Regent following when the referee finally blew for full time. FT 2-3

Another fine display from Regent, resilient and well disciplined against a very tough, attacking side who no one would like to face should they make the play offs.

A well-deserved man of the match performance for Regent went to Josh Gould, leading by example with the Captain’s armband, a brace of goals and a gutsy defensive performance.

Report by Neil Payne