Regent bounce back in style

After Saturday Regent looked for a reaction against Potters Bar Town whose previous visit had been abandoned due to floodlight failure.

Regent brought Ollie Bell and Andy George back into the starting eleven and named a strong bench with Rudy Rocha and Jamie Bennett joining Kane Gilbert and Theo Osinfolarin.

Regent kicked off and went on the front foot. A long throw by Chris Gregan resulted in a free kick and header just over by Aaron Blair. More pressure followed and Potters Bar cleared the ball off the line as Regent drove forward on Gregan’s long throws and Bell’s dead ball delivery.

As the half progressed it became clear that Potters Bar played a neat game in midfield but lacked any cutting edge up front. In defence they were robust, hunting down the Regent forwards in packs and bringing down anyone who threatened to get though the back line. First Ollie Bell was flattened and then centre back Tajbakhsh was booked for doing the same to Charlie Durling
Ollie Bell lined up the free kick from a central position which offered lots of potential but Valter Rocha stepped up to hit it high over the goal. A wave of surprise rippled around the ground that such an opportunity had gone begging.

Better followed as Dom Locke, looking sharp from the off, got clear and teed up Connor Barnby who was unable to convert with the goal gaping.

As the half drew to a close Charlie Turner was forced to save at the feet on an onrushing forward but the pattern had been set. Tajbakhsh was lucky to get away with felling Dom Locke and then Joyce-Dwarkia was booked for a heavy tackle on Rocha.

In the closing seconds Connor Barnby robbed the keeper but was only able to find the side netting.
Regent went in even but having had much the best of the first half and with the back four, in which Chris Gregan had been impressive, mostly untroubled.

Second half
Regent started well again with Dom Locke prominent and an excellent volley by Charlie Durling saved. The only threat was a Potters Bar breakaway which saw Locke booked “taking one for the team” pulling back an opponent.

The pressure eventually told after eight minutes. The energetic Locke got clear again and this time fed Valter Rocha who danced forward and chipped the keeper to open the scoring. It was nothing less than Regent had deserved for all their forward play.

Potters Bar were forced to come forward and take chances, leaving more openings. Tajbakhsh was lucky to get away with another heavy foul and was immediately substituted. But a free kick by Potters Bar cannoned off the wall and Regent were lucky to see it bounce harmlessly off the post.

Onn 70 minutes Bell fed Aaron Blair the chance he looks for to slot the ball through the keeper’s legs and double the lead.

Shortly after Charlie Turner made a second good save from a header but Regent kept pressing at the front and took care not to make the errors that had let Bowers and Pitsea overturn a two-nil lead.

Rudy Rocha came on and was prominent in defending from the front and keeping the ball around the opposition’s corner flag to see the game out.

Match Verdict
Regent were good value for a convincing win over less threatening opposition. The defence was always in control, Bell and Locke were dominant in midfield and Blair and Rocha took their chances when they came.

Saturday’s visit to Lewes will be a tough trip but one in which Regent will have nothing to lose against the high flyers and on this display might even cause an upset.

By Paul Ketchley