Report

When these two teams met earlier in the season it was a very close fought contest, narrowly won 3-2 by Clacton. With Brightlingsea lining up with only 10 players again and Clacton fielding a squad of 14, the prospect of a very different result looked highly likely. Ben Spurgeon assumed the goalkeeping duties in the absence of Reilly Hogwood. Clacton settle into an attack first but their final effort goes over. Daniel Williams makes a good run after he picks up Jonathan’s through ball but Clacton intercept and attack again but the danger is cleared by Josh Green. Clacton continue to pressure and this time the final shot squeezes past Ben’s outstretched hand to open the scoring. Brightlingsea make inroads down the left with Josh and Jonathan combining well. Regents are caught offside twice in quick succession as Liam Gray and Michael Barrenger get into attacking positions as the home side look to get on even terms. Clacton press again and the danger is well dealt with by Richard Clayton and Michael. Ben then deals with a good defensive back pass from Richard and looks like he is growing in confidence between the posts. Ben again comes and sends a good kick through the middle which Harry Steward heads forward and Thomas Farrow uses to try and put Jonathan through. Ben then makes two great stops from powerful strikes from Clacton. A further shot sees Ben stretch almost to the crossbar to stop a really high ball as Brightlingsea again try to clear their lines. Thomas makes a break into the Clacton half evading several tackles and is only stopped when he is fouled. Harry makes a good tackle to set up Jonathan but this time Clacton cut out the pass to Liam. Ben’s big kick sets up an attack down the right, when Clacton break with 3 on 2 and Michael makes an important stop to deny the visitors and set the Regents on an attack of their own. Clacton get through the middle and with a one on one with Ben the Clacton striker is sufficiently deterred by Jack Aldridge-Long’s pressure that he misses the targets. Ben makes another great stop, this time with his feet and when his goal kick finds Daniel he takes on half the Clacton team but his final pass is taken by the Clacton ‘keeper before Jonathan can pounce on it. Brightlingsea then make a vigorous account of themselves with strong challenges from Jack and Ben to keep Regents very much in the game at half time.

Clacton kick off the second half, kicking downhill. Brightlingsea keep the ball in the Clacton half well with contributions from Daniel, Jonathan and Harry. When the visitors do break Ben makes another good low stop, getting down very quickly. Richard makes a great tackle to set the Regents forward again. Clacton then split the team making their additional man count and this time the finish is right in the corner and beyond the outstretched Ben. Jonathan and Josh get into the Clacton area but the final shot just eludes the home side. Clacton put together another good move but their final shot which finds the net is ruled offside. Clacton are then awarded a penalty which is put wide of the goal by the visitors. Jonathan and Daniel make another good break deep into the Clacton half. Then Clacton make their own break forward and Jack does enough to hold up the attack until Richard and Michael can get the ball clear again. Brightlingsea then put together a good spell of pressure but shots from Thomas and Liam can’t make the breakthrough. Another attack sees Jonathan’s strike saved by the Clacton ‘keeper. When Clacton finally get free to come down the hill they manage to bundle the ball over the line to make it 3-0. When Ben is beaten as comes out after another Clacton break Michael’s covering prevents a further goal. Liam then finishes a good move involving Jonathan and Harry to put the ball in off the post but he is judged to be offside. Clacton break again and Ben makes a great stop with his hands to deny the visitors again. Ben makes another good stop from a direct free kick just outside the area. The game finishes with Brightlingsea continuing to defend heroically and prevent a worsening scoreline.

Man of the Match was awarded to both Michael Barrenger and Ben Spurgeon.

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