After the tumultuous events of the previous week few Regent fans knew what to expect following the en masse departure of management and players in the previous week. Only half the starting eleven were familiar faces, and that only because Valter Rocha had briefly played for Regent last season.

Regent lined up with Callum Law in goal, Esole, Ribchester, Thompson and Mack Miskin at the back; familiar faces Kane Gilbert and Charlie Durling alongside Carlos Rocha and Sonil Vasileiou in midfield and Valter Rocha and Ken Feyi up front. Five under-18 players, Fiavien-Howard, Page, Humphrys, Cowell and Birch, made up the bench. Carlos Rocha took the armband for his first home match.

Horsham kicked off and started the game on the front foot. They won an early corner which Regent struggled to clear and a desperate tackle saw Esole booked after seven minutes. After 17 minutes Horsham went ahead when they swung in a cross which Regent once again struggled to clear and this time Horsham put the loose ball away.

Two more first half goals by Horsham followed with Regent trying to make chances from a direct approach but Horsham’s well organised midfield were able to make chances and exploit the frailties of a defence who had had limited time to get organised.

The second half started badly with Regent conceding a penalty within two minutes of the re-start. Callum Law blocked a powerful shot to his left but was not able to keep out the follow up.

For the next period of the match Regent were much more in the game and as players tired three of the substitutes got their chance to stake a claim for the future. Joel Fiavien-Howard in particular stood out and brought some additional effort to the forward line.

But after 77 minutes another defensive error let Horsham in to score a fifth and in the final minute Law was unfortunate to see a blocked attempt re-bound off an on-rushing Horsham player to make it six.

In reality Regent’s performance was better than the score-line suggests and a number of the goals were the result of players not knowing each other and not being used to the pace of this level of football. Horsham were also a much better side than their league position would suggest.

The side has little time to turn things around but will look forward to seeing Charlie Turner back in goal and will hope that the injured Jamie Bennett, who watched the game, will be back before too long.