Brightlingsea Regent made the trip to Soham Town Rangers for their latest league game on Saturday and came away with another superb away win inflicting only the second home defeat of Soham to make it four league wins on the bounce.
Regent started well in the first twenty minutes and had the better of the play looking sharper and quicker to the ball, pinning the home team back at stages. Phil Kelly had the first chance for Regent after a pass from Ben Newson saw him turn his defender but from the edge of the area his shot was straight at the keeper. Ben Newson was next to have a shooting opportunity but he drilled his effort wide. The home team did well to keep the R 's at bay with some good timely tackles and interceptions in the final third to deny Regent taking a deserved lead. The half changed midway through with Soham earning a corner and going close to taking the lead against the run of play but the shot from six yards was wide. Moments after another set piece this time saw the shot from a knockdown cleared off the line. Soham then hit the crossbar with another set piece nearly undoing the bright start by Regent. All this saw the home side settle and begin to play with more belief and after 27 minutes they showed their improvement by taking the lead. A driving run out wide with a good pull back to the number nine who finished with aplomb into the far corner for 1-0. The home side were in the ascendancy and earned a free kick in a dangerous area after a foul from Regent but this time it was defended much better and cleared to safety. Minutes before half time the home keeper made a good save from six yards after good play from Jordan Heath released Phil Kelly who's strike was saved.

HT 1-0

The half time did Regent good and they came out with more intensity and forced the home side back. Jordan Heath and Phil Kelly were both denied with a save and a last ditch tackle but after 54 minutes the early pressure was rewarded. Great play down the left from Ben Newson and Jordan Heath saw Jordan hang up a cross which was powerfully met by Ollie Canfer who made it 1-1. The two players combined again just two minutes later but this time the header was well cleared off the line. Jordan Heath then hit the bar after crossing from wide. As it seemed the home side had rode the storm brought by Regent, Russell Malton got what proved to be the winner. Once again Jordan Heath was involved when he showed great skill to beat the defender before passing to Russell Malton, he turned inside the box but surrounded by defenders it looked as though he'd be closed out but superb improvisation saw him toe poke his finish from 12 yards at an angle to fire into the far top corner giving the keeper no chance and making it 1-2 after 73 minutes. Webster made all his three changes in quick succession to help the side see out the game and they did this well largely with the home side going close after a good cross was inches away from a connection. They were unable to force Ryan Bedingfield into any action and a dramatic fall in the area was the only real threat to Regents lead. The home keeper was nearly caught on the ball 40 yards from goal as they chased an equaliser but Regent held out for three more points.

FT 1-2

Regent enjoyed a healthy away support on the day with the three points taking them up to 13th in the table.

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