Brightlingsea Regent boss James Webster believes Saturday’s match-winner Amir Berkane was saving his first goal for the club in a big game.
The 18-year-old, on loan from Vanarama Conference South side Chelmsford City, pounced in the 67th minute after a series of prolonged pinball in the Needham goalmouth.
“It was great for Amir, it’s his first goal for the club and it’s been coming,” Webster said of the former Ipswich Town apprentice.
“Every week he tells me that he’s going to score so maybe he was saving it for a big game!
“I can’t speak highly enough of him, I’m always reporting back to the Chelmsford manager (Mark Hawkes) saying how well he’s doing.
“He’s only 18 and he doesn’t look out of his depth playing against the likes of Kem Izzet and Ian Westlake.”
Berkane’s winner was slightly scruffy to say the least with Regent fans celebrating before the ball had crossed the line.
“I think they thought it went in the first time (Phil Kelly’s shot), but then someone else got a touch, then the defender cleared it and it hit the post, and then Amir finally nicked it in at the end,” explained Webster.
“Beating a team like Needham and where they are at the moment with the season they’re having is a great achievement for us.
“We’re still little old Brightlingsea as such so to just be playing teams like Needham Market is an achievement in itself.”
Needham boss Mark Morsley was understandably frustrated at his side’s inability to put the ball in the net, but credited a Brightlingsea team and set-up he has huge admiration for.
“They’re a good football club, they’ve got good support, I like the manager immensely, and they’re all working really hard so fair play to them,” he said.
“They’ve got something going here and I’m sure they will have enjoyed their night after beating the league-leaders.
“They got a break really, and the goal was disappointing.
“We’ve had two or three golden chances to equalise but that’s football.
“Days like today happen. There will be games where we don’t play very well and get a win.”
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