Turner becomes penalty hero as points are shared

Brightlingsea Regent travelled down to Corringham for its first Essex Derby of the season on a August Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

Regent named an unchanged side from Saturday’s win over Leatherhead, but were boosted on the bench with Jake Clowsley returning from injury to feature again!

Regent started on the front foot early on, and with just 2 minutes on the board, Marcus Gouldbourne got forward to cross near post, but Max Booth was unable to direct his header goal-wards.

Shortly after, Charlie Durling headed wide as Regent loaded the box but were unable to make an effort count.

Max Booth went close moments later as possession was turned over, this time looking to lob Arthur Janata from 30 yards, but this time it went just over as the keeper was back peddling.

After 20 minutes, Regent went extremely close only to be denied by a superb save from Arthur Janata which nearly produced an own goal as another cross was stabbed goal-wards.

The hosts did feel they should have had a penalty when Oluwatobi Joseph burst through the R’s defence and then throwing himself to the ground as Jamie Bennett went to make the tackle! The Ref waived away.

East Thurrock went the closest minutes later, with a cut back cross from Ben Wyss which picked out Alex Hernandez who struck goal-wards forcing a brilliant save from Turner to his near post. HALF-TIME! 0-0

The second half started with little action until around the hour mark!

After 67 minutes, the hosts had the ball in the net but this time a hand was used in the build up!

Moments later, Regent were so close to taking the lead. Lewis Byrne-Hewitt surging to the edge of the East Thurrock box with a strike which looked to be going between Arthur Janata and the woodwork, but it comes off the latter, rolls across the goalline and away to safety.

Another chance was then created at both ends, first Regent substitute Jake Clowsley smashed over from distance. Then Oluwatobi Joseph’s run into the box was protected by Charlie Turner after a heavy touch.

On the 75th minute, there was breakthrough but it was East Thurrock that struck. A free-kick on the edge of the R’s box was kept low by Alex Hernandez and his effort beat Charlie Turner to his left! 1-0

10 minutes later, Regent amused a deserved equaliser! Max Booth with a centred free-kick was met by the head of Harry McDonald which he headed downwards past Arthur Janata! 1-1!

As the game got stretched with lots of tired legs, the host were awarded a last minute penalty! Samuel Osiwu pounced on a heavy touch by Zach Smith-Walter who catches him as he attempts to make the tackle. Osiwu then stepped up but was denied by an unreal save by Charlie Turner to his right! FULL-TIME! 1-1

It was certainly a game that had it all! Both sides could have won it, but more importantly Regent didn’t lose it. Despite patches of dominance the R’s couldn’t find the breakthrough and probably leave the more frustrated of the two teams. That old saying though, “There’s no such thing as a bad away point” and 7 points in August is a great launchpad for the season!

Next weekend, it’s the magic of the FA Cup!