Regent faced fellow strugglers Cheshunt in what was a six-point relegation match this early in the season. Kem Izzet’s strategy saw Jake Brice-Wiffen and Elliott Johnson make starts in front of 131 spectators

Regent lined up with Charlie Turner in goal; Lamell Howell, Pip Boyland, Matt Cripps and George Forrest at the back; Johnson and Brice-Wiffen joining Jake Turner, and Romario Dunne in midfield; with Billy Hunt and George Bugg up front. Josh Gould, Yasseir Nazor and Jordan Barnett were substitutes.

Cheshunt playing in pale blue fielded a mix of old and new faces from the side that had narrowly won in September.

Cheshunt kicked off the first half in front of two noisy sets of supporters. The Cheshunt fans brought out their loud-hailer and drum.

Both sides rose to the occasion and after a lively first few minutes with chances at both ends, good play by Romario Dunne put George Bugg clear to slot the ball home and open his Regent account.

Both defences made desperate measures to hold back opponents and after ten minutes Lamell Howell was shown the first card when he held a man back on the half way line.

After 15 minutes Cheshunt centre half McKenzie went down heavily and was replaced after sustaining what looked to be a dislocated shoulder.

Both sides remained committed to attack with Bugg showing impressive pace and strength in possession and Cheshunt making crosses but unable to hit the target from their headers.

Cheshunt came more into the game and Regent were lucky to escape when Zack Newton’s cross eluded everyone. Then Charlie Turner made an excellent one-handed save down to his left to deny Ryan Moss.

By then both Cheshunt’s Newton and Regent’s Matt Cripps had been cautioned for dissent.

In added time Regent pressed for a second goal with Elliott Johnson’s shot palmed away for a corner and Matt Cripps driving run pressuring the Cheshunt goal.

At half time Regent held a deserved lead but although they could have been further ahead.

Second half
A lively start to the second half saw Charlie Turner alert when Newton got clear and off target attempts by Elliott Johnson and Billy Hunt.

Ten minutes in one of the Cheshunt players went down heavily and the referee stopped play. A drop ball was awarded and Cheshunt simply dinked the ball over the defence for Ryan Moss to tap the ball home.

The drop ball re-start had been as good as a free kick for Cheshunt even though no foul had occurred.

Immediately afterwards an incident near the corner flag led to both sides getting involved in a melee.

Once order had been re-established the officials reviewed events. After a long delay Regent’s goalkeeper was dismissed and then, to the shock of the Cheshunt supporters, right back Ibrahim Dialld followed him.

The referee showed yellow cards to Forrest and Beckles-Richards who were involved in the original incident.

Josh Gould went in goal and whilst Cheshunt made some attempt to pressure him Regent took the game to their opponents. One goal was ruled out for off-side and then Romario Dunne put a great chance wide.

All the action was at the Cheshunt end and the pressure increased when Newton was shown a second yellow in the final minute of normal time.

Seven minutes of added time were shown on the board and two more Cheshunt players were booked and Howell put the ball narrowly wide before Dunne delivered a free kick only to see Cripps hit the frame of the goal and the resulting shot blocked.

Match Verdict
Much better from Regent who tried to play the ball around on the ground and for whom George Bugg was a constant threat. Regent now travel to Potters Bar on Tuesday night.

By Paul Ketchley