The late heat wave continued as the temperature soared on a dry and bumpy Brightlingsea Regent pitch under blue skies and an unrelenting sun that would test the players fitness to the limit. The Hornets were without the services of central defender Lee Bloom whose calf strain is still needing rest and treatment but he says that he may be back soon. Jack Severy and Ross Hutchings made welcome returns to the action and new signing James Heathcote was on the bench for the start as he is a bit short of match fitness, but a few weeks training and a match or two should soon put that right.
Debenham started the game looking a bit sluggish and slow to the ball although Rob Kemp and Kevin Barker both had shots blocked after a corner kick. Brightlingsea were looking lively despite the draining heat and after a Debenham move broke down near the home corner flag the home team carried the ball through midfield virtually unchallenged leaving TERRY KYMER to fire the ball into the net from the edge of the box after 9 minutes to give the home team the lead. This shocked the Hornets into action and from this point on the visitors took the game to the home team and gradually applied increasing pressure. Liam Bevis started to get top grips with the midfield play and started spraying his usual 20-30 yard passes around the pitch and the defence started to look solid with an eye catching tackle from Ross Hutchings stopping the Brightlingsea goal scorer increasing his tally. Adam Rickwood was playing his customary all action game and he was nearly set clear by a clever ball forward from Marc Wake but it just ran away from Adam. Jack Severy was beginning to look lively on the left wing and a series of crosses dropped into the Brightlingsea box but no clear opportunity was created.  Ed Cussons, playing at left back, sent a glorious through ball up to Adam Rickwood but his effort at goal was smothered by the keeper who rushed out of his goal but he was not so fortunate after 21 minutes when Shaun French headed the ball forward into the penalty area where the keeper seemed to lose control and the ball ran for ADAM RICKWOOD to score into an empty net.
You might think from this report that there was only one team on the pitch but this was certainly not the case as Brightlingsea made good approach play through midfield but their final ball was often misdirected or over-hit and the half chances that did come their way were snuffed out by strong defensive tackles or wasted by wayward finishing.
Debenham continued to press and were dominating the game mainly through Liam Bevis who was bringing all of the forward players into the match with good passing but clear opportunities were not coming and Brightlingsea were nearly rewarded for neat approach play when Ritchie Meadows ran through clear on goal but Liam Jones made a good saving block tackle to keep the scores level and on 38 minutes the same keeper touched a free kick onto the top of the cross bar to give away a corner.
After 40 minutes the visitors at last took the lead after a lovely move started by Liam Bevis in midfield who passed the ball out to Marc Wake on the left wing. Marc held the ball up and fed captain Ed Cussons, supporting from left back, who sent in a delightful first time cross to the near post where JACK SEVERY dived full length to connect with a header that sent the ball past Peter Spencer in the home goal to give Debenham a 2-1 lead. The final minutes of the half saw no clear chances for either team and the half time break was welcome for all as we headed for the shade and a cooling drink.

Half Time              Brightlingsea Regent   1            Debenham LC FC    2
                            Kymer   9                                Rickwood    21
                                                                           Severy         40

Brightlingsea started the second half in strong fashion looking for an equaliser but Dean Sillett’s shot was weak and straight at Liam Jones. The visitors earned a number of corner kicks but none presented a clear chance and the home team continued to play well through midfield but when they got into the last third of the pitch they seemed unable to fashion a clear opening for their forwards. Liam Morley shot into the side netting when well placed and after 65 minutes Ritchie Meadows had a shot well saved by Liam Jones who jumped up to make a second excellent double save to deny the striker.
James Heathcote joined the action on 71 minutes and eight minutes later Jack Severy made way for Michael Beaton. Inspired substitutions by manager Dale Vince as the Hornets applied pressure and constructed a sweet move to win the match on 81 minutes. James Heathcote was involved early in the move as he passed to  Liam Bevis who fed the ball to Marc Wake on the left side of midfield. Marc carried the ball forward and released a ball back to Liam Bevis who sent over a flighted cross on to penalty spot and there was MICHAEL BEATON leaping and diving forward to get his head to the ball and send it firmly past the despairing efforts of goal keeper Peter Spencer who ended up in the net along with the ball. A good goal, well crafted and well executed.
Frustration brimmed over for Brightlingsea who had Warren Joseph cautioned for a silly obstruction but the home team were not to be denied and they set up a nervy finish when the industrious Ritchie Meadows crossed from the right side after 91 minutes for substitute LUKE HUGHES to score at the far post with a smart shot. The game failed to produce any more chances for either team so the Hornets ran out winners by 3 goals to 2, a very satisfying reward for a hard afternoon’s graft and a good team performance. Liam Bevis stood out in midfield as did Tom Hardwick filling in in central defence again and Adam Rickwood continues to be a lively customer up front. Jack Severy looked lively after his lay off and super-sub Michael Beaton must be pleased with his goal - most physiotherapists help win the game with cold water sponges and bandages!

Final Score             Brightlingsea Regent   2            Debenham LC FC    3
                             Kymer   9                                 Rickwood    21
                             Hughes  91                               Severy         40
                                                                             Beaton          81

Referee                  Mr S Gillman     Assistant Referees     Mr S Colman     Mr J Haynes

Attendance            51

Brightlingsea Regent FC Spencer, Joseph, Gould, Morley, Hughes K, Holman, Meadows, Salter,                                               Kymer, Sillett, Clarke        Substitutes  Wallis, Gridley, Hughes L, Cole, Kelly
Cautioned                              Joseph

Debenham LC FC         Jones, Hutchings, Cussons Capt, Barker, Hardwick, French, Bevis, Kemp,                                               Rickwood, Wake, Severy     Substitutes  Smith, Beaton, Heathcote, Minns