Aveley in control as Regent are pushed aside

On what could have been a very difficult game away at Brightlingsea Regent, were trying to use their momentum they achieved last season by getting promotion from the Essex Senior League.

The first five minutes of the game Regent controlled the game, their first big chance came in the very first minute. As they found themselves in behind the Millers back four, after a shot was blocked, it was eventually cleared.

From the start you could see the tackles Regent were putting into Aveley, which led to an Aveley free kick, after fantastic powerful defensive work by Brian Okwera he was taken out by Regent's left back Jake Gould, but the referee only gave the player a talking too this time round.

Teddy Nesbitt then attacked down the right hand side, he beat two defenders, cut inside, but on this occasion his shot just lacked the power and it trickled towards Luke Avenell in the Regent goal. Only three minutes later, Teddy Nesbitt had another chance out of nothing, the ball came in from the right hand side to Teddy 20 yards out from goal, it sat up for Ted to hit who connected well with the ball but the ball whistled just over the bar.

Alex Stavrinou impressed on his debut for Aveley. Throughout the game he looked comfortable on the ball and also loved attacking getting forward which he proved when he ran down the left hand side with great pace past Regent defenders. Doing so he was taken out by Terry Amass, who was consequently booked. But the free kick was eventually cleared by the Regent defenders.

James Marrable had very little to do inside 20minutes, but he was pulled into the game after a long ball by the Regent centre back made our defenders running towards the goal, but the Regent player was going to get there first but James Marrable was out superbly to punch the ball out for a Regent throwing. From that throwing the ball came to Terry Ryner who had his back to goal, he turned exceptionally well to get the shot off, but the agile Marrable saved brilliantly to deny Brightlingsea the lead against the run of play.

Minutes later a soft free kick was given for a foul on Marcus Elliott. Billy Coyne lined up the free kick, it clipped the top of the wall and the ball looped just over the Regent's goal out for a corner. The corner was whipped in by Billy Coyne but the small Regent keeper managed to out jump Marcus Elliott to catch the ball.

Lovely passage of passing play created a great chance as Marcus Elliott did great work down the right hand side, he pulled it back for Billy Coyne, who took a touch, and again whipped in a devilish ball, but both players Lee Weems and Alex Stavrinou seemed to leave the ball for each other, and the ball went out for a goal kick. Aveley were beginning to show their potential as they passed the ball beautifully around the pitch which created good opportunities, but the stubborn Regent defence stood strong.

Danny Hopkins was then fouled from behind by the Regent centre back. Billy Coyne lined it up, about 25 yards out, he smacked the ball with great pace, it found its way threw the gap in the wall and like a bullet into the net. It was a Billy Coyne special, as we saw away in the friendly at St Neots. The lead was what Aveley deserved as we were in complete control of the game. Brightlingsea Regent 0-1 Aveley (Coyne 32mins).

Aveley came alight again as lovely passing move by the midfield put Stavrinou on the run towards the Regent goal, after Brian Okwera won the ball, he played it to Stavrinou who then ran on, he exchanged passes with Lee Weemes, but in the end Stavrinou's shot just lacked the power the move deserved to challenge the Brightlingsea's goalkeeper.

The Billy Coyne long throws caused all sorts of troubles for the Regent's defence, and with just one minute to go before half time, Billy Coyne launched another long throw into the box, both Lee Weemes and Spencor Harrison went up for the ball, it found its way back to Danny Hopkins on the penalty spot, he pulled his right foot back and smacked the ball into the roof of the net for Aveley to take complete control of the game. Brightlingsea 0-2 Aveley (Danny Hopkins 44mins).

Half Time.

Yet again Brightlingsea started well from kick off as they managed to force a corner, which was defended very well by Junior Baker out for a Regent throw in. Regent seemed to have learnt from what Aveley were doing as they started to use long throws to put into the box, but with Spencor Harrison, Junior Baker at the heart of defence, we didn't look like conceding. Every time Regent got into our half they failed to get any closer to our box as they couldn't get past Brian Okwera in midfield.

The only negative was the booking for Sammy Knott after a very good challenge, however, the referee saw that the tackle was over zealous and dangerous so the referee pulled out the yellow card for Sammy Knott. A substitution for Aveley then occurred on the 69th minute, as hard-working Lee Weemes went off to be rested for Mondays game, and on came Danny Francis.

Aveley again attacked, they seemed to tease the Regent back line, as the ball was being played around their area but without anyone taking a shot. As soon as Regent got the ball they kicked it out for a corner. The corner was defended well enough to get it out, the ball was then played to Teddy Nesbitt on the edge of the area, but his left footed shot was way wide of the target this time. Teddy Nesbitt was then swapped with the returning Petrit Elbi upfront.

Danny Francis was working hard since coming on as he forced a corner for Aveley. Sammy Knott crossed it in, but again it was cleared by Regent only as far as Elbi who volleyed it with his right foot, however it was just over the bar.

The last ten minutes, Aveley took their foot off the pedal as they wanted to save their fitness for Mondays game against AFC Sudbury. But still the team showed determination as you could see they wanted that clean sheet. With great work by the midfield and defence Aveley got that clean sheet to round off the perfect away win, and first win of the season.

Full Time- Brightlingsea Regent 0-2 Aveley
Star Man: Brian Okwera
Aveley squad: Marrable, Coyne, Knott, Baker (C), Harrison, Okwera, Hopkins, Elliott, Weemes, Stavrinou, Nesbitt.
Subs: Gayle, Francis, Elbi, Bricknell, Bakare
Attendance: 141