Skipper Stunner Settles FA Trophy Tie

Brightlingsea Regent welcomed Dereham Town From Norfolk on Saturday in the FA Trophy Preliminary Round. Putting all league form aside with both teams having an up and down start to the season, sitting 13th and 11th respectively.

The R's took the lead after just 22 minutes, when a ball was played back to defence for Dereham, this was then chased down by Phil Kelly, who managed to get a block on the clearance, with the ball landing in the path of form striker Aaron Condon. Condon then took a touch to set himself and smashed the ball through the goalkeepers legs to take his goal tally to 12 for the campaign. 1-0

Regent continued to create chances, in the 26th minute, a free kick swung in on the left hang side from Jake Turner around 25 yards from goal, met the unmarked head of Josh Gould but he was unable to direct his effort either side of the Dereham Goalkeeper and Will Viner made and easy save.

On the half hour mark, Phil Kelly managed to get wide left attacking the newly opened West End part of the ground. He cut inside of the Dereham right back and centred beautifully, meeting the head of Shamido Pedulu but his effort sailed agonisingly over the cross bar.

After 41 minutes, the visitors were level!, a long kick from the Dereham keeper Viner found Ryan Crisp who was able to flick on to Daniel Beaumont, he then turned and clipped the ball over the Regent Defence for Crisp, who had continued his run into the box and unmarked slotted his finish past Ollie Bowles in goal for Regent. HT 1-1

The Second Half saw Dereham grow in confidence and have more of the ball, in the 59th minute they could have taken the lead, a well worked Dereham corner taken by Ryan Crisp, met the head of Joe Gatting but his header was deflected just over the crossbar, a lucky escape for Regent.

In the 65th minute, Regent got themselves a free kick 10 yards from the penalty area. Aaron Condon this time delivered and Josh Gould was first to the ball heading towards goal but Viner reacted well to throw himself at the ball and push the effort away, with the rebound coming to nothing.

In the 79th minute Regent regained the lead with a stunner as skipper Matt Cripps hit Dereham with a sucker punch. Some good link up play down the left hand side for Regent from Jake Gould and Aaron Condon, allowing the R's to move forward, Matt Cripps found some space in the centre of the pitch, the ball was laid off to him and 30 yards from goal hit a sweet right footed strike into the bottom corner of the net giving Viner no chance at all! 2-1.

Just 4 minutes later the R's had a chance to kill the match off when Shimido Pedulu got free down the right hand side he cut into the box and got a low effort at goal but a comfortable save for goalkeeper Viner. Moments later Jack Turner had a chance when he got some space on the edge of the box and hit a snap shot, this time the execution went just past the far post. FT 2-1

Regent held on to progress through to the next round and bagging the prize money in the process. With that result they have set up a tie away at Met Police of the Ryman Premier Division on Saturday 29th October. Before then they are back in league action when they entertain Great Wakering Rovers this coming Tuesday night at North Road.