After a tumultuous weekend of personnel changes, Regent faced Leatherhead with a new management team in the dugout and the welcome return of Harry McDonald in midfield. Zach Birse made his home debut as Regent lined up with Charlie Turner in goal; Osei-Asomah, Birse, Bennett and Boyland at the back; Byrne-Hewitt, Topley, McDonald and Barnett and then Gilbert and Clowsley as a strike force. Bastone, Oti, Kamanzi, Mahon and Crisell, were all substitutes.

Leatherhead kicked off but from the start it was clear that Regent intended to play on the front foot with Harry McDonald powering through the midfield. The first twenty minutes were very even with the best chance coming from a Kane Gilbert free-kick which Harry McDonald was unable to connect with.

The breakthrough came following a free kick and a series of corner kicks. Gilbert had been delivering high hanging corners, but this time hit it hard and low to Zach Birse in the middle of the penalty area. The centre half showed that he was also a passable centre forward, made space and hit the ball under the diving goalkeeper into the right hand corner of the goal.

From the re-start Osei-Asomah and Byrne-Hewitt started marauding down the right side and a won a series of throw-ins until the ball was worked to Jake Clowsley who followed Birse’s example in making space, turning and putting the ball away. Halfway through the first half and Regent were 2-0 up and causing the Leatherhead defence all sorts of problems.

Regent continued pressing forward and good play by Harry McDonald put Clowsley in again, only for the ball to go over the bar.
With time running out in the first half Regent won a free kick on the right and Jake Clowsley dropped back to deliver it. The kick was high and long and the Leatherhead keeper, who had come forward, started back peddling as the ball dipped towards the top corner. Jumping to catch the ball he was unable to stop going backwards and carried the ball backwards into the net.

The chances kept coming and a mazy Harry McDonald run through the defence presented half chances for an attempt for a fourth but none were taken and eventually he tried to beat one defender too many and the opportunity was gone.

Leatherhead made two changes at the start of the second half and the game was much more even. Leatherhead supporters started discussing the way in which Spurs had let a three goal lead slip at the weekend, but there seemed little chance of such a recovery until Zach Birse went down and had to go off ten minutes into the half.

Birse and Jamie Bennett had been dominant at the back so the enforced move of Jordan Barnett into defence resulted in more pressure on the Regent defence and there were occasions when big clearances from the back simply led to loss of possession and invited more pressure.

Gradually Leatherhead’s midfield and attack ran out of steam and they were reduced to throwing in hopeful crosses which were easily gathered by Charlie Turner and strong defending made sure that there was no slip up to encourage the visitors.

As the game drew to a close Jake Clowsley took a further opportunity with a deep free kick but in spite of some fumbling by the ‘keeper, he was denied a hat-trick.

With one final collection by Turner from a Leatherhead corner the final whistle went and Regent celebrated their first home league win since January.

Match Verdict

An amazing transformation has been worked in just four days. The pace and energy of Regent’s forward players meant they scored more goals in 45 minutes than in all the preceding three home games and also managed their first clean sheet of the season. Harry McDonald’s energy and dynamism provided the missing element from the previous home displays this season. Regent fans will hope to see more of the same this Saturday against Folkestone Invicta.

By Paul ketchley