Folkestone too strong for the Regent

Regent took the long trip to Folkestone for what looked to be a challenging encounter with another side at the top of the Isthmian Premier League.

A crowd of 477 watched as a flight of World War 2 Spitfires cruised overhead for most of the match on a fine day with a sprinkling of cloud cover.

Brightlingsea lined up with Charlie Turner; Ricky Griggs, Josh Gould, Matt Cripps, Jake Gould; Romario Dunne, George Doyle, Jake Turner, Joe Yaxley, Charlie Lindoe and Billy Hunt. Ace Howell, Jack Mahon, Fahad Nazor and Pip Boyland were the named substitutes.

Charlie Turner was back in green to avoid a clash with the amber and black of the home side.

Joe Yaxley kicked off for Regent but an attempt to play in Billy Hunt broke down and this resulted in a prolonged spell of pressure from Folkestone until dangerman Kieron McCann cut inside from Ricky Griggs and flashed a good attempt just over the bar.

Regent responded after seven minutes when George Doyle played in Billy Hunt whose attempted lob beat the keeper but went narrowly past the post.

The game was mostly being largely played in that part of the pitch between the halfway line and the edge of the Regent penalty box and after 20 minutes a defensive lapse allowed McCann another clear chance which he put away with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Once again Regent responded and seven minutes later George Doyle won a corner on the right which was well taken by Charlie Lindoe for Romario Dunne to drill in an equaliser from the edge of the box.

Folkestone, determined not to let Regent players onto the scoresheet, claimed it as a “deflected own goal”.

Joe Yaxley then put Billy Hunt clear to try to lob the keeper with the outside of his left boot but once again he beat the keeper but the ball went just wide of the goal.

As the half drew to a close Josh Gould was booked for a foul which incensed the home crowd by being judged to be outside the box. Ira Jackson’s free-kick hit the top of the bar and then a series of corners followed until a neat ball was played through the Regent back line for Jerson Dos Santos to pounce and restore the lead for the home side.

Second half
Folkestone started the second half in determined mood and soon forced an excellent double save from Charlie Turner.

Seven minutes into the half they went further ahead when right back Vincent got away down the right and saw the ball worked across the field until it reached Kieron McCann who scored his second of the match low and hard into the corner of the net.

Fahad Nazor replaced Charlie Lindoe and Regent tried to get back into the game with further attempts from Nazor and Billy Hunt.

In the 85th minute Nazor won a clear penalty which Billy Hunt slotted into the corner of the net and Regent pressed for an equaliser in the closing minutes with Josh Gould playing more as an attacker than in defence.

Folkestone were happy to play the ball into the corners to see time out and Regent’s last decent move was brought to an end when Matt Cripps was controversially flagged offside before the final whistle

Match Verdict
This was another decent performance by Regent against one of the league leaders in which they looked better when they kept the ball on the ground in the second half.

After two games against the league leaders they have a chance to improve their position against fellow strugglers Wingate and Finchley next weekend.

Report by Paul Ketchley