With Charlie Turner still out injured Laurence Whymark was in goal with Osei-Asomah, Boyland, Bennett and Gelashvili in a back four; Byrne-Hewitt, Kamanzi, Topley and Barnett in midfield and Rocha and Oti up front. Larty, Crissel, Bastone, Gilbert and Mahon filled the bench.

Haringey decided that blue and yellow was such a colour clash with red and black that they needed to play in their change green kit. Many of the stars of last years Cup run had moved on but Cyprus international Georgios Aresti and ex-Maldon and Tiptree midfielder Laste Dombaxe suggested that they would have the creativity in midfield to present plenty of problems.

A crowd of 192 included a noisy travelling contingent who showed some creativity in spurring their side on.

Haringey kicked off and Aresti was soon caught off-side as they came forward. Early on Lewis Byrne-Hewitt got clear behind the Borough defence but his shot was smothered and from then on it was all Haringey as first Aresti put a dangerous cross over the bar and then Dombaxe hit the ball wide and then put another good chance over the bar.

After 20 minutes Lewis Byrne-Hewitt, who had been Regent’s most threatening player, had to go off to be replaced by Kane Gilbert.

Regent started to compete more effectively as the first half progressed but were lucky to survive when everyone missed a free kick and the ball re-bounded off the post.

Haringey’s quality meant that everyone had to be on top of their game and so when the ball was not dealt with decisively in the defence as half time approached Haringey were presented with a simple opportunity which gave Aresti a tap-in for the first goal.

Regent fans were left fuming and frustrated that once again, after holding out for so long, they were left chasing the game.

Neither side made changes at half time and Regent tried to play long balls down the middle to create more chances on goal. Still, the Haringey ‘keeper was under no threat and the only shot was an attempt by Jerry Kamanzi which went high over the bar.

After 65 minutes Regent lost possession on the Haringey left and Albert Bawling did what no Regent player could do in taking the ball past two defenders and slotting the ball just inside the near post.

Kem Izzet replaced Jordan Barnett with Sonny Bastone who brought much needed energy to midfield. Regent won their second corner of the game and Mo Gelashvili powered through to make a good shot on goal. But attempts to get back into the game created openings at the back and Regent had to thank Osei-Asomah for a goal line clearance from a corner preventing them going further behind.

Regent were under continuous pressure at the back and eventually after 82 minutes conceded another when Michael-Percil jinked across the penalty area from the Haringey right and hit the ball high into the left hand side of the net for a well taken third goal.

Having put the game to bed Haringey saw a Dombaxe shot well turned away and the follow up put into the side netting before Kane Gilbert, who had already been booked, got a second yellow card for tripping Dombaxe in the final minutes of the match.

A well worked free kick routine led to the tall Djassi-Sambu heading over the bar which was the last of the action before the final whistle.

Match Verdict
Regent fans were well aware of the quality and organisation of the Haringey side from last year’s visit to White Hart Lane and, on this performance, Regent were once again found wanting when they fall behind and have to chase the game.
The forwards need to get more service to enable them to establish a lead which can be built on.

By Paul Ketchley