Brightlingsea Regent continued their winless run on Saturday, despite displaying a hard-fought battle, ultimately losing 2-1 to Isthmian League North high-flyers Redbridge FC.

Ryan Salter made three alterations to the Regent starting lineup that suffered a heavy defeat to Felixstowe & Walton United on Bank Holiday Monday, with Jake Clowsley (serving a suspension), Mekhi McKenzie and Roan Tucker dropping from the starting eleven, and Ollie Pipa, Emmanuel Zion and Tom Cottle-Wood returning to the lineup.

An uninspiring first ten minutes ensued, with a lack of any clear-cut chances occurring for either side, as both sides battled for possession in midfield in an effort to carve out opportunities.

On the 13th minute mark, Redbridge put away the opening goal of the game. Karl Kayembe outmuscled Tom Cottle-Wood on the wing to drive forward towards the penalty area, and despite his initial cross being cleared by Marley Andrews, the second attempt found Louie Remi unmarked at the back post. Questions were raised about a potential offside claim; however, the officials turned away those claims, and Redbridge held the lead.

Regent immediately followed up with numerous set-piece opportunities, including a strong penalty shout, however, Redbridge’s backline comfortably intercepted and cleared whatever was thrown their way.

Redbridge went scarily close to doubling their advantage, following Harry McDonald’s unfortunate first touch finding Pedro Carvahlo, who looped the ball over top of the Brightlingsea backline towards Ramiah Mills, setting up a one-on-one opportunity. Ollie Pipa stood firm to the first opportunity, before Bruno Taveres fired wide from the follow-up.

After another scrappy few minutes, Ollie Pipa was forced into an impressive save, as Pedro Carvahlo’s cross nearly found its way into the far corner, but was tipped over the bar, with the following corner resulting in a comfortable parry for the Regent keeper.

Capitalising on a strong spell of sustained pressure, consistently finding themselves in good positions surrounding the Regent box, Redbridge doubled their advantage just before the full-time whistle. A mistimed aerial pass allowed Bruno Tavares to set up Pedro Carvahlo on the edge of the box, to take it past his marker and slam the ball past the outstretched arm of Ollie Pipa.

Regent began the second half in a much more positive fashion, retaining possession and attempting to create chances in a much more organised manner than the first half. Despite the improved factors, a mishap at the back allowed three potential scoring chances from close-range positions; however, were successfully blocked by the Regent backline, before Bruno Taveres fired wide.

Two substitutions followed, as Joe Watson and Luca Terminiello replaced Gianni Ashley and Tom Cottle-Wood, as Regent aimed to claw a goal back and push for an equaliser.

And a goal back was exactly what followed!

Joe Watson’s pressure dispossessed the Redbridge full-back, allowing for a run into the edge of the box, ultimately squaring it to the far post towards an unmarked Luca Terminiello (who has successfully evaded both defenders marking) to tap in past the outstretched dive of Lewis Greene, successfully reducing the deficit.

Redbridge then promptly pushed at the other end. A quickly taken throw-in found its way into Pedro Carvahlo on the wing, who teed up Louie Remi on the edge of the penalty area, however his shot was slightly too high and wide to bag a brace.

Two more alterations ensued, with Mekhi McKenzie replacing Harry McDonald in the 71st minute, as well as Ben Sargaent coming on for Danny Rowe in the 79th. Straight away, McKenzie’s attacking influence pushed Regent towards an equaliser, after Joe Watson turned past the full-back, his close-range pass was unable to find a Regent shirt, with Redbridge piling bodies into the defensive line.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the game was fairly uneventful, without a real clear-cut chance for either side, drawing conclusion to another disappointing result for Brightlingsea Regent, as we currently sit in 21st place, heading into an upcoming weekend without a game.

Regent Lineup: Pipa, Ashley, Tricker, Durling, Richards, Andrews (Mitchell 88’), Zion, McDonald (McKenzie 71’), Collis, Cottle-Wood (Terminiello 56’), Rowe (Sargeant 79’)