Brightlingsea Regent, the in-form team in the Ryman North, are yet to taste defeat in 2017, and James Webster’s men will be looking to continue their fine run at home to Aveley today.

Brightlingsea Regent, the in-form team in the Ryman North, are yet to taste defeat in 2017, and James Webster’s men will be looking to continue their fine run at home to Aveley today.

The R’s are undefeated in their last 10 games, with eight wins and two draws, and are just three points behind leaders Maldon & Tiptree with two games in hand, following last weekend’s 1-0 win at Thamesmead.

Furthermore, the Essex club boosted their promotion hopes by signing front-runner Billy Hunt earlier in the week, from Stanway Rovers.

Ex-Heybridge Swifts and Chelmsford City striker Hunt netted 36 goals in 50 outings for Stanway in the Thurlow Nunn Premier, and will now be looking to improve Regent’s title chances during the run-in.

“Billy comes to us at the business end of the season and hopefully he will score some important goals for us in the run in,” enthused boss Webster.

And Hunt himself said: “It’s not often you get the chance to be in a title-chasing side, and now I can’t wait to get going.

“Hopefully I can add something to the team and help them finish in the Ryman North play-offs.”

Today’s visitors Aveley are pushing for the play-offs themselves. They are in ninth spot, six points adrift of the top five.

Meanwhile, leaders Maldon & Tiptree are on the road at Ware, who are down in 19th spot, seven points clear of the bottom three. The Jammers got back on track with a resounding 4-0 win over promotion rivals Thurrock last weekend.

Also in Ryman North, improving Heybridge Swifts entertain 20th-placed VCD Atheltic, while mid-table Witham Town play host to seven-placed Haringey Borough.

Three divisions higher, in the National League, in-form Braintree Town face a tough challenge away at Macclesfield today.

Hakan Hayrettin’s have moved seven points clear of the relegation zone, following a superb run of just two defeats in their last 11 league games.

Much of their resurgence can be attributed to the goals of Michael Cheek, who bagged a brace in the eye-catching 2-0 win away at Eastleigh in midweek. Cheek has 13 goals for the season.