On a cold, still January night Regent faced Bishops Stortford in a twice re-arranged game. The earlier cutting wind had dropped and a deep cold seeped across the ground.

Regent lined up in what is becoming a settled formation of Charlie Turner: Mo, Pip, George Forrest and Jake Gould: Lewis Byrne-Hewitt, JT, Jordan Barnett and Romario with George Bugg and Jake Clowsley up front. Lamell Howell, Jerry Kamanzi, Jack Mahon and Luca Grisi were on the bench.

Stortford turned up with an all-white Real Madrid style kit and a threatening threesome up front with the diminutive Jamie Cureton playing alongside Shomari Barnwell and Alex Read. Regent’s only claim to imitating AC Milan came from fielding an Argentine substitute, and supporters looked forward to seeing some Latin magic from the new signing.

The first ten minutes suggested that Stortford would roll over their hosts and all the action was in front of the Regent goal with Charlie Turner bringing out his first outstanding save of the night after five minutes.

Manager Kem Izzet lost no time in letting Regent know how slow they were out of the blocks compared to the visitors.

The referee also started quickly, booking George Bugg as early as the third minute, followed by George Forrest and three Stortford players in the first half
The first half continued with Stortford presenting an obvious aerial threat at corners and they were unlucky not to score at least once.

The pressure told in the 36th minute when Pip Boyland gave away a penalty. Jamie Cureton scoring from the spot seemed to be a formality but again Charlie Turner saved the day and the defence cleared the ball out.

From then on, Regent started to click and Jake Clowsley was brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Claims for a penalty were waved away and Romario Dunne was unfortunate to see his free kick go over the wall and just past the goal.

Stortford’s frustration showed when referee had words with their bench in the closing minutes and the half ended even. Stortford should have been well ahead but Regent could look back at Dunne’s free kick and count themselves unlucky not to be in the lead.

Second half
Neither side changed personnel but Regent came out with a different approach and rather than relying on high balls started to make use of their front players’ pace and kept the ball more on the ground.

Early on Jake Turner forced a good save from a free kick and Regent won a series of free kicks and corners. On the hour, Romario Dunne lined up another corner and the ball could only be cleared to the edge of the penalty area where Jake Clowsley was lurking to place the ball into the top right of the goal.

After a series of substitutions by both sides the Regent support got their first sight of Luca Grisi, who replaced George Bugg.

Regent seemed to have shaken off their first half blues and combined well with Jake Clowsley being unfortunate to see a long range attempt go wide when the goalkeeper was well out of his goal.

Unfortunately Grisi’s home debut was cut short prematurely after 15 minutes when he went over to the bench and soon afterwards he was replaced by Lamell Howell.

Regent spent the remainder of the match in the Stortford half, and, despite a few half chances, were never really threatened and saw out five minutes of added time with ease.

Match Verdict
This was another great performance from the Regent following up their win at Enfield the previous Tuesday and a draw against fellow strugglers Wingate and Finchley on Saturday.

The defence held firm in the first half with Charlie Turner being the hero of the hour and the forward line won the second half with a cracking goal from Jake Clowsley and another attempt which could easily have made it a more comfortable win.

By Paul Ketchley