In the reverse fixture of the first game of the season Regent faced Margate on another Saturday badly affected by strong wind and rain in front of 189 spectators.

Regent lined up with a much changed side from that first fixture with Charlie Turner in goal; O’Reilly, Forrest, Thomson and Gould at the back; Clowsley, Kamanzi, Jake Turner and Lewis Byrne-Hewitt in midfield and Mudd and Crissel up front. More newcomers joined old boys on the bench with new signings Lartey and Abukar sitting alongside Dunne, Bugg and Boyland. Injured boys, Jordan Barnett and Matt Cripps watched from the sidelines.

A strong swirling wind drove squalls of rain across the pitch and conditions were probably as difficult as they have ever been in a season of difficult conditions.

Jerry Kamanzi kicked off for Regent and a decent routine led to a goal kick. The early stages of the match were even until a strong move by Margate down their right hand side forced Charlie Turner to turn the ball over.

As conditions worsened a good run by Lewis Byrne-Hewitt won Regent their first corner. Finn O’Reilly met Jake Turner’s delivery and was unlucky to see the Margate goalkeeper make an acrobatic save to deny him the opener.

As the first half progressed Regent came increasingly into the game and Margate almost created their best chance when they crossed the ball back across their own area but, in spite of gaining free kicks, they were unable to make anything from their chances.

Somehow the referee could only find one additional minute at the end of the half before the sides went off with honours even

Second half

A lively start to the second half saw a good run by Lewis Byrne-Hewitt and then Jerry Kamanzi was brought down with Margate’s Jordan Robbins being booked.

Shortly afterwards Romario Dunne came on for Rueben Mudd but the best Regent could do was a hooked attempt by Jake Clowsley which was saved.

After 63 minutes Margate went ahead with a goal which proved the value of making an attempt on goal. An attempted clearance came back to Margate’s Prestedge and with his back to goal he hooked the ball up into the air where it caught in the wind and spun over Turner and into the top corner of the goal. Prestedge picked himself up and stood triumphant, obviously delighted with the unexpected result.

Further changes saw Kamanzi replaced by new signing Elvin Lartey and then Mo Abukar replaced Lewis Byrne-Hewitt., but Regent seemed to be unable to take advantage of the conditions in the way Prestedge had.

Suddenly out of nowhere the dynamic of the game changed with 8 minutes left, when Margate’s Kadell Daniel, who was looking to be a real handful on the ball, kicked out at Jake Turner for no apparent reason and was given a straight red card.

The momentum of the game changed and Jake Thompson hit a good attempt wide and then, with Regent appealing for handball, the referee awarded a corner. This time Jake Clowsley showed how to use the conditions to advantage and when his corner came back he simply turned the ball back into the net.

More Margate players were booked and then the assistant ref in front of the dug-outs called the referee over and Margate’s Assistant Manager was shown a straight red card which led to a very slow walk around the outside of the pitch.

Regent were unable to take further advantage from their extra man in time added on and so, as in the first encounter in August, the sides finished even.

Match Verdict

In spite of the conditions this was an enjoyable match to watch which ended up with a fair result. Unfortunately, a draw and one point does nothing to resolve Regent’s position at the bottom of the table and so it’s on to Bowers and Pitsea on Tuesday night when they will hope that their footballing skills will overcome the direct approach of the home side.

By Paul Ketchley