Cray Wanderers were the visitors in what was already being billed as a relegation six-pointer on a sunny afternoon which made it feel like spring was just around the corner. A decent crowd of 215 turned out to watch, with a sizeable number of away fans making the journey from south London.

Regent’s line up was strengthened by newcomer Wyan Reid who started on the bench but both teams showed significant changes from the line ups when the sides last met at the end of September when Regent won 2-0.

Regent kicked off but it was Cray who started the better with a high bouncing ball nearly catching the defence out until Charlie Turner palmed the ball over for the first of what proved to be a series of corners.

But Cray couldn’t make anything of their territorial domination in spite of getting seven corners in the first period, Dom Locke nearly caught them out with a shot which Bailey Vose had to turn round the post in what was the best attempt of the first half.

The referee brought was had become an inconsequential midfield tussle to a very prompt if not early end and everyone hoped for something more exciting in the second half.

Second half

Regent substituted Andy George for Jamie Bennett at the start of the second half and it was the home sides turn to dominate as the effect of the fresh breeze running down the pitch became obvious. Cray still continued to win corners and from their ninth they forced Turner into making a good stop.

It got more exciting after 63 minutes. Brett Munyard made a double substitution, bringing on Luke Skinner and Wyan Reid for Valter Rocha and Ollie Bell. Reid took no time in showing why the manager had been so keen to bring him in and Regent upped the tempo of their game with good efforts from Aaron Blair and Rudy Rocha although Cray did one put good attempt wide.

The crucial breakthrough came shortly after when Chris Gregan fed Aaron Blair and although Vose blocked his first attempt Blair was able to take the rebound around the ‘keeper and slot it away to put Regent ahead.

From there on Regent dominated through the combination of the substitutes’ energy and the wind pushing the ball up into Cray’s half. Luke Skinner set up Aaron Blair for a shot that just missed the top corner of the goal, Dom Locke put a chance behind and then Skinner was unable get a difficult header on target, But Cray also helped them by conceding a foul throw when they were on the attack, taking a throw in from inside the touchline.

Three minutes added time was shown and Regent once again saw the game out in robust style to seal the win.

Match Verdict

Although it looked unlikely in the first fifteen minutes this was a fine performance by the entire Regent side. The defence was rarely in trouble and Charlie Durling was immense in winning every high ball that came towards him. Ollie Bell and Rudy Rocha ran the midfield in the first half, Dom Locke was a constant threat and Aaron Blair scored another good goal. The substitutes brought added energy and Wyan Reid looked like he will be a real handful for opposition defences at this level.

By Paul Ketchley