Brightlingsea Regent 6 Blues 3

A much changed Blues side crashed out of the opening round of this season's Alan Turvey Trophy (League Cup) sponsored by Robert Dyas after conceding six goals at Ryman Division One (North) Brightlingsea Regent. With a very important FA Cup tie on the horizon and with several players with niggling injuries, Manager Glenn Driver made eight changes to the starting line up that drew with Kingstonian on Saturday with full debuts for Charlie Beckwith, Taylor Hastings, Regan Pelling and Armani Schaar. The game also gave those players with limited match time currently in the squad some vital match minutes. The Blues, who reached the Quarter Finals in last season's competition, made the worse possible start, conceding after just 20 seconds. Griggs cross converted by Malton. Only 16 minutes had passed when the visitors were forced into a change with Ollie Brown replacing the injured Leon Ottley-Gooch. Two minutes later the hosts added a second goal, Richardson firing home from the edge of the box. If two goals weren't enough the Essex side added two more in two minutes. The first a header from Baker the second from Condon and all this with less than 25 minutes played. The Blues then lost Seb Dunbar through injury, replaced by Jack Ainsley, as the side struggled to make any impact. Just eight minutes into the second period and the rampant Regent side scored a fifth goal this time from Kelly. Leiston then began to improve and Ollie Brown scored his first Blues goal, Could this be the start of an amazing fightback? Well six minutes later the answer was a resounding no as substitute McKenzie added a sixth home goal. The visitors rallied late on and with a quarter of an hour remaining Patrick Brothers added the second Blues goal and three minutes later Joe Jefford added a third. There was to be no amazing finale as Brightlingsea booked their passage into the next round where they will face Bowers & Pitsea at home.

FT - Brightlingsea Regent 6 Blues 3

Brightlingsea Regent - Bowles, Griggs, Malton (McDonald 61 mins), Baker, Reakes, Cripps, Witherspoon, Turner (Josh Gould 45 mins), Richardson, Kelly (McKenzie 56 mins), Condon. Sub not used - Jake Gould.

Blues - Beckwith, Saker, Dunbar (Ainsley 36 mins), Pelling, Jefford, Hastings, Brothers, Ottley-Gooch (Brown 16 mins), Winter, Finch, Schaar. Subs not used - Lawrence, Blake and Francis.

Man of the Match - Patrick Brothers

Attendance - 62