Regent ease to 3-0 victory at Mill Field

Regent eased to victory with three first half goals against an Aveley team who really didn't offer anything.

From the start Brightlingsea were on top and in control of the game. Ben Hewson and Jordan Heath linked up superbly to fire shots in on goal but both shots were blocked by Billy Sendall then by Junior Baker.

Regent came again shortly after, another superb one-two between Phil Kelly and Ben Hewson almost linked to get in behind but for a superb interception by Mathias Bakare after he had lost the ball before.

The opening goal came, and everyone could see it was coming. A long ball by Ricky Griggs went to Ben Hewson on the edge of the area, the ball came over Hewson shoulder, and he watched it onto his right foot to perfect and volleyed it past James Marrable into the top corner, a simply sublime finish. Aveley 0-1 Brightlingsea Regent.

Aveley did have the ball in the back of the net, good cross into Tyler Devlin who headed into the back of the net but he was penalised on a push on Matt Cripps.

The Millers lacked width throughout the game, they first ventured down the right hand side as Paul Preston surged forward with the ball and won a throw. Billy Sendall took the throw it landed to Arian Retkoceri but his shot was blocked by the raised hands of Amir Berkane, but penalty appeals were waved away by the officials.

Regent countered from the long throw, and almost doubled their lead shot by Kelly but it was saved superbly wide by James Marrable.

Despite Marrable's best efforts Millers went 2-0 down to the visitors. Billy Sendall went to ground and didn't win it, Phil Kelly then came inside as he skipped past the challenge and rolled the ball into the bottom corner. Aveley 0-2 Regent.

Aveley again had really one more 50/50 chance, good work by Theo Ola as he used his pace to get past Griggs, his cross was good however it evaded Tyler Devlin, it looked as if Mathias Bakare would tap it in, but a superb diversion by Gould headed the ball away from danger.

But Regent put the game to bed with five minutes remaining of the first half with a spectacular finish from Oliver Canfer. The ball set up for him and he smacked it on the volley past Marrable into the bottom corner. Aveley 0-3 Brightlingsea Regent.

Half Time- Aveley FC 0-3 Brightlingsea Regent.

Millers made three changes at half time as all Mathias Bakare, Tyler Devlin and Arian Retkoceri all were replaced by Marcus Elliott, Kyle Asante and Jack Stevenson.

The Millers started the better side in the second half with the changes made, Marcus Elliott won a free kick, what was put in by Jack Stevendon, but it just couldn't land for Junior Baker and it went out for a goal kick.

Kyle Asante skied his shot after a great surging run from Brian Okwera, he linked well with Marcus Elliott who played it to Kyle Asante but he never set himself well and his right footed shot was over the bar.

Regent started to grow into the second half as they went forward, as they found gaps in the Aveley defence. Phil Kelly was put through down the right hand side but his effort went into the side netting.

Good play by Theo Ola as he played it again to Marcus Elliott who held it up well crossed it in well but there was no blue shirts in the box, and the ball was cleared well.

Millers were then reduced to 10 men as Sammy Knott pulled down Phil Kelly and was shown a red card for "Serious foul play" Regent players said it wasn't a red card, Regent fans said it was never a red card. It was a definite yellow, however Sammy Knott will now face a three match ban.

The game really did die after the sending off, Regent made three substitutions. However they still got in behind, Oliver Canfer was put through one-on-one with James Marrable but surprisingly he missed the goal.

Full Time- Aveley FC 0-3 Brightlingsea Regent.