Regent faced winless East Thurrock on the back of impressive away performances at Lewes and Bowers & Pitsea. On a grey, leaden afternoon the rain stopped for long enough to squeeze in two hours of action packed football.

East Thurrock matched the sky in an all grey strip. A crowd of 174 turned out as Regent lined up Turner in goal; Osei-Asomah, Boyland, Bennett and Gelashvili at the back; Byrne-Hewitt, Topley, Barnett, and Crisell in midfield and Rocha and Oti up front. Larty, Kamanzi, Gilbert, Mahon and Machaya made the bench. Unfortunately, Zach Birse was unable to make his home debut.

Regent kicked off but all the action was in their half with Thurrock winning corners and forcing saves from Charlie Turner in the Regent goal.
Regent’s midfield seemed very unbalanced with Thurrock able to create openings at will on the home side’s left.

After ten minutes Turner went down after a heavy challenge and hearts were in mouths with no substitute ‘keeper available. Happily he continued, and with Jamie Bennett and Pip Boyland clearing numerous attempts, dealt with further corners and free kicks.

Regent made no impression on the Thurrock defence for 30 minutes until James Crisell’s attempt was smothered by the Thurrock ‘keeper. At the other end Thurrock were spurning opportunities by heading over and shooting wide.

Regent’s next attempt came after 40 minutes when Khris Oti went wide. Shortly after Jerry Kamanzi came on for Crisell and made the midfield more robust.

After two minutes of added time Regent fans were relieved and bemused that the scores were level. Half time discussion centred on how Thurrock could have failed to score? Was this why they were coming off four straight defeats?

Neither side made any changes at the start of the second half.

Regent made a much brighter and determined start to the second half with Valter Rocha showing more intent and Lewis Byrne-Hewitt getting away down the right hand side but finding nobody able to connect with his cross.

The second half momentum was shifting as Byrne-Hewitt made dangerous runs and Kamanzi got the ball forward. Still, the defence had to be alert and Mo Gelashvili was booked for bringing down a Thurrock player in full flight.

With ten minutes left Rocha got the ball and put in a fierce shot only to see it deflect off a Thurrock arm. A penalty was awarded. Khris Oti coolly put the spot kick away to break the deadlock.

Thurrock came back in search of an equaliser. Jordan Bennett was booked for kicking away a free kick and the question was whether Regent could hang on for the final whistle.

As the clock ran down Thurrock won a throw in and made one last effort. In a goalmouth scramble Turner and the Regent defenders pulled off a series of close range saves and blocks until the ball found Thurrock’s unmarked Brown-Bahpoe, who put it away.

In four minutes of extra time Jamie Bennett was penalised for climbing and, with Thurrock hitting the post and Turner palming over a final free kick, Regent held on for the point.

Match Verdict

Regent will count themselves fortunate having been under the cosh for so long. Only Charlie Turner, Jamie Bennett and Pip Boyland in defence prevented Thurrock from being out of sight in the first half.

Jerry Kamanzi made a difference in midfield in the second half, but questions will be asked about the number of free kicks and corners being conceded. A clean sheet would be good on Tuesday.

By Paul Ketchley