Brightlingsea Regent hosted Romford on Saturday knowing that they needed 4 points from their final 4 matches to take the title. James Webster welcomed by Tom Richardson into the line-up after he had recovered from injury whilst Russell Malton dropped to the bench.

The warm weather brought out a decent crowd of 242 spectators, and they never waiting long for the first goal. After just two minutes a ball played forward caused a defensive blunder by Romford’s Tom Potter allowing Phil Kelly to rush onto the loose ball and slide Regent in front. 1-0

Regent started with a great tempo and continued to force chances, after 8 minutes, top scorer Aaron Condon weaved his way into the Romford penalty area and lifted the ball over Full Back Ryan Boswell, Condon then run onto the bouncing ball and hit a volley that looked to be destined goalwards only to be deflected behind for a corner off James Ismail.

The R’s kept creating chances, on the 20-minute mark Regent won a free kick, taken by Aaron Condon around 25 yards from goal, his cross was met by the head of Billy Hunt but Romford’s goalkeeper Callum Chafer pulled off an excellent save to deny the striker from 4 yards.

Regent did however finally double the lead 5 minutes before half time. An exquisite switch ball from skipper Matt Cripps picked out Billy Hunt charging down the left-hand side to beat the offside trap, and executed a brilliant volley across Callum Chafer and into the corner of the net. 2-0

Just moments later Regent added a third, when a Josh Gould long throw was misread by the Romford defence, Aaron Condon was lurking at the back post to chest into an empty net, and score his 34th goal of the season! 3-0 HT

Regent’s continued hard work and determination didn’t stop at half time, and just 3 minutes into the second half, they made it 4. Billy Hunt broke through a sleeping Romford defence to get onto a Connor Witherspoon pass and complete his brace as he fired past Chafer. 9 games, 9 goals for the ex Stanway forward. 4-0.

There were more cheers for the Regent Supporters as news come through shortly after that Dereham had taken a 2-goal lead over second placed Maldon & Tiptree, significantly meaning that the race was coming to an end and Regent were about to win the league with 3 games to spare!

The game seemed to run its course with the R’s keeping possession, although with 7 minutes to play, Romford did get a consolation goal when substitute Ryan Mallett headed home a Romford corner to give the visitors some cheer. 4-1

As the game drew to a close, news came through that Maldon & Tiptree had drew with Dereham 2-2 meaning the R’s were crowned the Ryman Division 1 North Winners! Unbelievable scenes followed when the full-time whistle blew and the R’s staff, committee and supporters celebrated knowing Step 3 football was on the horizon next season. The celebrations continued into the clubhouse and through the night. Brightlingsea Regent have yet again made more history!