Once regular opponents in the Isthmian League North, the hosts have made several impressive improvements to the ground since our last encounter and the pitch looked in excellent condition on a sunny September afternoon.

Regent lined up as might have been expected with Dom Locke gaining a place in the starting eleven but Harrison Carnegie, Ollie Bell and Luke Skinner found themselves on the bench after Tuesday night’s loss to Enfield.

Regent kicked off and started well. Early on they unlocked the hosts’ defence and were unlucky to see an attempt to lob the keeper go fractionally over the bar. Waltham Abbey responded by hitting the side of the post and then winning free kicks in dangerous positions.

Gradually Regent got on top and same close when Connor Barnby hit the post and the ball ricocheted around the box until the goalkeeper was able to fall on the ball.

All this time, Sam Jeremiah had threatened the home defence with his pace. Half way through the half he and Ole Sotoyinbo swopped sides and shortly after some good play left him in space on the left hand side of the pitch. Jeremiah took his time , made space and then curled the ball into the far side of the net leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Regent regained the habit of scoring first and although the hosts came back at them they were unable to make anything from the chances they created. As half time approached it became increasingly obvious that Regent’s centre midfield was being over-run by the hosts neat and tidy approach to the game.

Second half
At half time Regent replaced Andy George with Luke Skinner.

One minute into the second period Regent doubled their lead when Luke Woodward got away down the left and Ollie Sotoyinbo got on the end of the cross to poke it past the goalkeeper.

Waltham Abbey upped the tempo and got one back when they got the ball in an innocuous looking part of the pitch but then cut in along the touchline and squeezed the ball past Turner from a tight angle.

After 60 minutes Harrison Carnegie replaced Dom Locke and made an immediate impact when he sprang the offside trap and coolly put the ball in the back of the net to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

Waltham Abbey came back again and tempers got frayed as a number of Regent players were booked for minor infractions and dissent. After 75 minutes Ollie Bell was booked and the hosts won a series of corners. The first one was blocked by goalkeeper Turner but the next one was put away by host’s midfield general who stooped to guide the ball into the net.

The last 15 minutes was classic cup-tie fare with Waltham Abbey trying for an equaliser and Regent trying to put the game to bed. Despite some close shaves for both sides nobody was able to make a further breakthrough and after four minutes of added time the referee blew for full time and Regent found themselves in the hat for Tuesday night’s draw for the Third Qualifying Round.

Match Verdict
The match was a very entertaining Cup tie which Regent edged simply being more clinical and composed when it mattered. Unfortunately, several players picked up yellow cards for minor and un-necessary infractions which could have been easily avoided. Tuesday night will be watched with interest to see who Regent will face in the next round.

By Paul Ketchley