Regent welcomes fellow strugglers Wingate and Finchley for what, even at this stage of the season, looked to be a relegation six-pointer which neither side could afford to lose. The match began in front of a crowd of 182 on a still, damp day with rain starting to fall at kick off.

The home side fielded Charlie Turner in goal, Ricky Griggs, Matt Cripps plus Josh and Jake Gould in a back four; Fahad Nazor, George Doyle, Jake Turner and Romario Dunne in midfield; and Lamell Howell and Billy Hunt up front. Joe Yaxley, Adam Hampson, Charlie Lindoe and Pip Boyland were the substitutes.

Wingate and Finchley kicked off unimpressively in blue and black, punting the ball into touch for a goal kick.

Hopes that this was a sign of how the game would develop were soon dashed as they won a series of corners and Regent had to thank goalkeeper Charlie Turner for keeping a clean sheet as the quick Wingate forwards posed a constant threat.

After 14 minutes the deadlock was broken when Regent were carved open on the Wingate left and centre forward Eion McKeown was presented an easy chance to score from close range.

For the remainder of the half Regent were under constant pressure. They kept losing the ball and the deficit was kept at a single goal only as a result of further saves and sweeping up by Turner and some dire attempts at finishing by the Wingate forwards who failed to connect with a super cross into the box and then hoisted the ball into the top of the tallest trees behind the goal.

A tally of Regent’s attempts showed a mere single corner which led to a header over the bar and two weak shots neither of which presented any threat to the Wingate goal. They went in lucky not to be three or four behind.

Second half
Neither side many any changes at the start of the second half. Jake Turner kicked off and Regent showed a neat routine from which they won a throw in and started to come back into the game.

After 54 minutes Regent’s first decent chance came after Romario Dunne was bundled over. George Doyle’s free kick was headed down by Matt Cripps only to be prevented by goalkeeper Gore getting down well to the ball.

Regent had to ride their luck when they started to play the ball around, but all too often sequences of passing across or backwards down the field broke down, and quick moves by Wingate exposed the Regent goal to chances that should have been converted. Only last ditch defending by Charlie Turner and Jake Gould kept the score at 1-0 before the Wingate forwards danced through the defence and rapped the ball off the post. Shortly afterwards, on 81 minutes, Pip Boyland came on when Jake Gould was unable to continue.

It had looked as though a set piece would provide Regent the best way to equalise and after 85 minutes they were awarded a free kick for handball on the edge of the penalty box. Jake Turner and George Doyle weighed up the options whilst the referee spoke to players in the wall, before Turner struck the ball low and hard for Gore to spill the ball and Billy Hunt stab it home to even the score up.

On 88 minutes Wingate full back Ifil came close to a winner, volleying the ball against the underside of the bar for it to bounce down onto the line and be cleared away.
Four minutes of added time exposed some raw nerves as potential chances were passed up by both sides until the final whistle ended it all square.

Match Verdict
A much improved second half performance saved the game for Regent and, since neither side could afford to lose this one, Wingate and Finchley will feel they spurned golden opportunities. Regent now face a tough trip to Worthing next Saturday to maintain some momentum.

Report by Paul Ketchley