Match 30. Brightlingsea Regent v Ely City

Saturday 8^th February 2014 @3pm

Eastern Counties League Premier Division

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT 2-0 ELY CITY

North Road, Brightlingsea

 

Admission: £6

Programme: 50p

Attendance: 170

Refreshments: Guinness (surger), £3. Cheeseburger, £2.70

  

With most games in Essex falling to the weather, including Colchester United, Brightlingsea confirmed this game was on around lunchtime via Twitter. Hard work by Groundsman/Chairman, Painter & Decorator Terry Doherty and his band of volunteers on Friday evening and Saturday morning to rid the pitch of standing water and made it playable although soft. I was directed to a spare parking space by the gateman before parting with £6 and a programme for just 50p. 

 

The entrance is by the halfway line with a small covered seated stand immediately to the left, followed by a hot food hut and the club building. Inside there is a large projector screen which was showing Liverpool running rings around Arsenal. A club bar, toilets and a table for hot drinks was set up at only 60p a cup. Outside the clubhouse is a covered over hang where I stood alongside many of the crowd.  On the opposite touchline is a new uncovered seating area that I believe was previously used for a golfing event.  The rest of the ground behind the railed pitch is hard standing, with a second car park behind the new stand.

 

The home side were aiming for their 3^rd win in 8 days and completely dominated the first half. The team consisted of a fairly young group of player with 1 or 2 mature experienced heads to keep them tight.  They almost took the lead after 5 minutes as a shot outside the box by Kelly slammed against the crossbar.  The first goal came after 20 minutes when some good passing forward and cross was dummied by the striker for Turner to fool the keeper before firing into the bottom corner.  Further chances went begging but the decisive goal came just before half time when a pass into the running path of Yearling allowed him to score without breaking his stride.

 

After the first half performance, I was expecting a goal fest but Regent took their foot of the gas, probably saving energy for the FA Vase tie, so the second half wasn’t so good. The home side still had a few chances to add to their tally but the visiting keeper had a good match.

 

The talk in the clubhouse and on the terraces centred on the big game next week away to Dunston UTS and who was going. I would estimate from the discussions that the club will take 100 or so supporters to the match.