Rothery Reign Starts With Win

Brightlingsea travelled to North London to face an in form Harrow Borough side who had won 3 of their last 5 home matches.

Tom Rothery took charge of the R’s for the first time having agreed terms on Friday afternoon.

Both teams started well in what was a wind affected affair, as the ball bounced around in the middle of the pitch.

Robbie Rees crafted Regent’s first effort on goal after just 6 minutes, finding time and space to curl his shot at goal for the Harrow keeper Melvin Minter to touch wide.

Regent did however draw first blood in the 18th minute. Freddie Gard got at his full back and was brought down in a wide right position. The resulting free kick was swung into the penalty area by Aaron Condon and into the net with Tom Richardson claiming the final touch! 0-1

The host came forward and looked to level but without forcing any real chances, it was Regent who could have doubled on the counter after 32 minutes. Regent broke and the ball was sent wide left for Condon to run onto, he centred for Richardson who pulled to the back post, the ball came across to Richardson but he could only find the side netting. HT 0-1

Regent started the second half promising and soon doubled their lead on the 50 minute mark. Billy Hunt got wide down the left channel and dribbled towards the box getting a cross shot at goal into the near post, this was well saved by Minton but he couldn’t help but parry it out falling to Gard who struck towards goal and there was Tom Richardson again to smash Home Regents second. 0-2

With an hour of the game played Regent were reduced to 10 men when an aeriall ball was challenged by Richardson who had been deemed to have used his elbow by the Referee. He was shown a second yellow for the foul.

From the resulting free kick Harrow pulled one back, the ball was sent into the Regent box, some 70 or 80 yards, Adam Richards won the header and steered towards goal where Curtis Ujah was to hand to finish. 1-2

The hosts continued to attack in search of an equaliser and in the final few minutes thought they had it. Substitute Ant O’Connor crossed for Reis Stanislas whose header looked destined for the goal but his effort bounced off the crossbar and the R’s held on. FT 1-2

The Regent fans were left to celebrate only the second win on the road this season and Tom Rothery’s reign starting in the best possible fashion.

Next Sunday the R’s head to Dartford to face Thamesmead Town as we start our FA Trophy campaign.

Up the R’s