Brightlingsea came into this Ryman North League encounter on the back of two fantastic results on the road at VCD Athetic and Aveley. Those resounding victories had seen the R's move up to fifth place in the league table and there was a real buzz around the club ahead of this clash with Thamesmead who were sitting in the relegation zone.

The home fans could be forgiven for thinking that another 3 points could well be on the way. This positive and happy mood at North Road was to be shattered on the eve of the match when news came through of the sudden and unexpected death of Brightlingsea Regent Sunday Team player Lee Pennycuick in tragic circumstances. Lee was a much respected and loved member of the Brightlingsea Regent family and it was clear from the genuine grief and shock his passing caused, he will always be remebered not only within the football club and local football community but in the wider area where he touched so many lives.
The home crowd included many of Lees team mates and friends and as the players took to the field wearing black arm bands to show their respect you could sense the emotion around North Road.

As the referee blew his whistle to signal the start of a minutes silence which was immaculately observed thoughts were focused on bigger things than football on a day when much was put in to perspective

When the first half did get underway the football from Regent proved to be very different from the high tempo and quality of the previous two games. Perhaps the emotion of the day and the efforts of the past month had caught up with the players because it was the very direct and physical visitors from South East London that were making the best of the early exchanges. Thamesmead had
clearly come to spoil Regents passing game and time again they frustrated the R's with their challenges and interceptions. The home side were struggling to string any passes of note together or hold the ball effectively in the visitors half. This meant that much of Brightlingseas attacking threat was anonymous for much of the half with Aaron Condon and Shamido Pedulu seeing very little of the ball
and Phil Kelly and Tom Richardson having to drop deeper to get any possession at all.This congested midfield suited Thamesmead and they were able to pick off the R's attempts at moving the ball fairly comfortably. As Regent continued to be frustrated by Thamesmead's basic but effective tactics it was the visitors who took the advantage as Scott Kinch scored on 25 minutes. Following the goal
the referee was kept busy as lots of niggly challenges made the remainder of the half a scrappy affair which Brightlingsea players and supporters would have been glad to see the back of.

As the players and officials filed out for the second half few attending this game would have predicted what was to come. Ronan Keating wrote that "life is a rollercoaster" well he should have plotted up at North Road because he would have been an emotional wreck after been flipped twisted and turned upside down as this game unfolded. Brightlingsea Regent looked a little more like themselves and began to look a little brighter and sharper in attitude and movement with the hard working man of the match Jake Gould getting forward more and more to support the more frequent Regent attacks. Aaron Condon was getting on the ball and there was a sense that the home side were getting back into the game.Thamesmead were still intent on spoiling and on 53 minutes Paul Vine seemed to put this match beyond the R's with the visitors second goal. Emotion was always going to run high given the circumstances surrounding the match and the frustrations felt by Brightlingsea players, management and supporters when many of the cynical fouls from one or two of the Thamesmead players went unpunished by a referee who at times seemed a little too unwilling to show a card.

Despite Regent's best efforts it began to look like a first defeat was looming when on 72 minutes Aaron Condon drove into the Thamesmead box and as he turned the Town full back was caught by an outstretched leg. The Rs players and fans appealed the referee pointed to the spot, Penalty. Regents top scorer took the penalty himself and struck it confidently into the top of the net leaving the keeper no chance. His tenth league goal of the season and a lifeline for Brightlingsea.

The home crowd sensed that a comeback could be on the cards and given the indifferent performance over the first 70 miutes a point would have been gratefully received. This game had definatley not been one for the faint hearted and as the ball found Thamesmead's Aaron Rhule in a wide position on the Regent's right flank there seemed to be little threat. But as the pacey Rhule ran at the Rs defence it seemed to open up for him as if by magic. He clearly couldn't believe his luck as he finished smartley beyond Sam Cowler. This was a cruel blow for the home team with just over ten minutes left to play. James Webster introduced youngsters Mekhi McKenzie and Harry McDonald for Phil Kelly and Connor Witherspoon in a finally roll of the dice. With Regent driving forward and more and more niggling challenges from Thamsmead and protests from both sets of players the referee and his officials looked a little off the pace and were struggling to keep a lid on what was to turn into fiery last few minutes. The clock was ticking down and the home fans were bemoaning their luck and teams performance when it all went a little bonkers. Brightlingsea were awarded another penalty on 83 minutes which was calmly dispatched by Aaron Condon for his 11th league goal, 3-2. Thamesmead were now looking a little unsteady and the swagger some of their players had earlier displayed was not as apparent going into the final few minutes. The referee was also being called on more and more as many of the visiors last ditch tackles and challenges seemed to warrant more action than he and his officials were willing to give. This was never more apparent than when Tom Richardson was bitten by a Thamesmead player the teeth marks clearly visible on the Regent forwards stomach. Not only did the visiting player escape with no card shown, Richardson was booked for his protests. Perhaps the Thamesmead player complained he didnt taste very good.

The mood on the pitch was beginning to turn a little ugly with challenges flying in as Regent searched for a last ditch equaliser. On 87 minutes the game was completely turned on it's head when Jake turner levelled for Brightlingsea. His goal signalled wild celebrations from the large home support who couldn't quite believe what they had witnessed. Thamsmead were totally deflated and as the
board was held up to show 5 minutes added time the atomsphere around North Road was electric. The home fans cheering their heroes comeback and a point that seemed improbable just 20 minutes earlier. With The R's clearly believing that attack was the best form of defence the ball found it's way out to Aaron Condon on the left wing. He once again ran at the Thamsmead fullback cutting inside leaving the defender in his wake. Regent players waiting in the box expecting a cross and one more scoring opportunity were probably just as surprised as Thamesmead when the on fire Condon cut across the ball with the outside of his left foot curling it past the stranded Thamesmead keeper at his near post and into the far corner of the visitors net. As the Town players sunk to their knees reflecting on 3 points lost in the most remarkable fashion the home players and supports were going beserk. The outpouring of relief and the emotion that had been bottled up around North Road was palpable to anyone that was fortunate to have witnessed this crazy final few minutes.

The result and the attitude of the whole Regent family to come together in these most difficult of circumstances is a credit to everyone invloved at the Club and something the late Lee Pennycuick would surely have approved of.

RIP Lee

Report by Gavin Aplin, Photos taken by David Scales