REGENT WIN COMPETITIVE FRIENDLY AT WELWYN GARDEN CITY

THE BEAUTY OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL WHERE OPPOSING PLAYERS AND FANS CAN HAVE A QUICK CHAT DURING A BREAK IN PLAY.

Brighlingsea Regent made the trip over from Essex to Hertfordshire on Saturday 29th July to play Welwyn Garden City in a pre-season friendly. It was a game which matched up two step four sides as Regent had been relegated from the Isthmian Premier Division at the end of the 22/23 campaign. The Citizens finished in 8th place of the Southern League Central Division just seven points below the play-off places. 

Regent's Manager Brett Munyard has the task of regrouping and reshaping the squad at North Road in their first season back in Step Four since the 16/17 season. The former White Ensign boss joined the club in November 2021 and did leave for a short period last season from February to April. 

City have former Wingate & Finchley player and manager Mark Weatherstone as boss who has been in place since December 2022 when he replaced Max Mitchell who is now manager of Potters Bar Town. 

This was an eventful game and arguably there could of been two red cards given. The first incident saw Regent's goalkeeper bring down City's centre forward Dernell Wynter inside the box with a bear hug - with two covering players rushing back the referee booked the keeper.  Some may argue it should of been red but it was yellow and a penalty kick was given with Wynter missed. 

Regent were already 1-0 up early in the game when a poor clearance from the City keeper landed at a regent player's feet who was able to finish easily. 

@thecoldendofficial #grassrootsfootball #grassroots #Foul #nonleaguefootball #Tackle #Football #soccer #nonleague #goal #fyp ♬ Miracle - Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding

There were some tough tackles during the first half and it was Wynter involved again when he was brough down on the edge of the box. He got up and gave a little kick out toward's the Regent player - the referee gave a yellow to the Regent player and a yellow to Wynter. 

Ethan Kessel's resultant low free kick landed in the corner of the net to make it 1-1. 

A few minutes into the second half Regent scored from close range to make it 1-2 which was the final score of the game. 

It was good to see Adam Pollock in midfield for Welwyn has moved up from Enfield Borough where he made 25 appearances for the Step Six Thurlow Nunn First Division South side. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT PRE-SEASON RESULTS

Sat 1st July - Little Oakley L 0-1 

Tues 11th July - Folkestone Invicta L 1-2 

Sat 15th July - Long Melford L 1-2 

Tues 18th July - Harlow Town W 2-1 

Sat 29th July - Welwyn Garden City - W 2-1 

Tues 1th Aug - COLCHESTER UNITED XI W 3-0 (296) 

Sat 5th Aug - Horsham L 2-6 

WELWYN GARDEN CITY PRE-SEASON RESULTS 

Sat 8th July - Cockfosters W 2-0 

Sat 15th July - CHESHAM UNITED L 1-7

Tue 18th July - Wingate & Finchley L 0-5 

Thu 20th July - Colney Heath L 0-1 - Herts FA Charity Shield Round One 

Sat 22nd July - Northwood L 1-2 

Tues 25th July - ENFIELD TOWN L 1-3 

Sat 29th July - BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT L 1-2 

Tue 1st Aug - DULWICH HAMLET D 2-2 

Sat 5th Aug -  Bowers & Pitsea D 1-1 

Regent begin their Isthmian North season on Friday evening with a trip to Bowers & Pitsea who were also relegated from the Premier Division last season. They then host Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Stansted in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday 19th August. 

The Citizens have two very tough opening fixtures at home to Biggleswade FC who finished as runner's up last season and then a midweek local derby at Ware who finished fifth and knocked Biggleswade out in the play-off semi-final before losing to Didcot Town in the final. They then travel to Essex Senior League side Romford in the FA Cup.