A much changed line-up turned out for Regent against fellow strugglers Corinthian Casuals on a fine December afternoon. With regular goalkeeper Charlie Turner suspended they welcomed Jake Jessup in goal plus Lamell Howell, Pip Boyland, Matt Cripps and George Forrest at the back; Lewis Bryne-Hewitt slotted into midfield with Jake Turner, Jake Brice-Wiffen and Romario Dunne; and George Bugg played up front with Samuel Coombs. Joe Maybanks, Yasseir Nazor and Billy Hunt were the three substitutes.

To go with the changed line up Regent changed back to their colours of black shorts and socks rather than the recent red.

Regent kicked off what was to prove a scrappy game with both sides looking to avoid conceding an early first goal. Desperate blocks meant that first Regent and then Casuals were awarded a series of corner kicks all of which were effectively defended. Regent tried to follow the Izzet principle of passing the ball but too many long diagonal balls were simply cut out by opponents, whereas Casuals adopted the long ball style which Regent have discarded at this level of football.

Gradually Regent got on top of the opposition and some good harassing by the lively George Bugg put Romario Dunne in a position to have the first real effort of the match after 25 minutes.

With 35 minutes gone and with the Casuals’ supporters chanted for their team to get going Romario Dunne found himself in space on the left and instinctively played a diagonal ball through to Lewis Bryne-Hewitt who got behind the full back and his touch sent the ball wide of the keeper for it to creep into the left-hand side of the goal.

Casuals response didn’t lack effort but their possession only won another corner which was punched away by Jake Jessup.
Shortly before half time Bryne-Hewitt went off to be replaced by Yasseir Nazor.

At half time Regent led by having converted the only real chance of the half between the two sides

Second half

The second half continued the pattern of the first with a good run through the defence by Nazor which was let down by a poor final touch and Casuals winning more corners which were competently defended.

After 66 minutes Lamell Howell was shown a yellow card and Regent took the opportunity to replace Sam Coombs with Billy Hunt. When the free kick was taken it was headed back to Pinney who placed the ball across the goal for the equaliser.

Casuals were briefly encouraged but three minutes later Regent won a corner on the left-hand side and Romario Dunne, who had been impressive with his dead ball deliveries, placed the ball for Pip Boyland to head the ball home and restore the home advantage.

This time Regent kept pressing forward with Nazor, Hunt and Bugg combining well. George Bugg was unlucky not to be able to reach a low Billy Hunt cross as his full length dive wasn’t enough to connect.

As three minutes added time was shown the Casuals’ goalkeeper came up to play as an extra attacker but they were unable to create another goal attempt before the final whistle.

Match Verdict

This was a deserved win by Regent which showed further improvements in their style of football and some good contributions by the newcomers. For the second game in a row they managed to score twice. Two good assists by Romario Dunne and a vital header by Pip Boyland brought their winless run to an end and lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Regent supporters will have half an eye on next Saturday’s relegation tussle between Corinthian Casuals and Wingate and Finchley.