Jammers’ boss Kevin Horlock insists top-two clash with Regent will not decide the title

The Jammers make the short trip to North Road this weekend, having seen their 100% home record finally ended by a 3-2 defeat at the hands of visiting Bowers & Pitsea last weekend.

However, Horlock’s men are still six points clear at the top of the table, although second-placed Brightlingsea do have two games in hand.

It promises to be a title race that goes down to the wire, with third-placed Thurrock leading the chase behind them.

“It’s been built up as a big game this weekend, with the top two playing each other,” explained Jammers boss Horlock, the former Ipswich Town midfielder.

“It’s got a bit of everything, what with playing against our local rivals.

“But as I’ve said to the players – win, lose or draw, this game alone is not going to decide whether us or Brightlingsea or Thurrock wins the division.

“They are all big games now, but people are building up this one, and I can understand why,” added Horlock.

Brightlingsea are on a fantastic eight-game unbeaten run, with six wins and two draws, so Maldon will have to be at the top of their game to at least maintain their healthy lead at the top.

Horlock continued: “Brightlingsea are in form themselves. I think we are the two top scoring teams in the division, which means it’s probably going to be 0-0!

“Buy you would expect there to be goals. It is a big one and neither team really wants to lose.

“We are going there in a positive mood, despite the setback of losing to Bowers & Pitsea in our last game.

“In general, we have bounced back the game after a defeat, and hopefully we will do again.

“Our home run (16 wins out of 16) was always going to end at some time. I mentioned that before every one of our home games.

“I just didn’t want the lads to go out there in fear of losing the game. In many ways, it will hopefully help to have the monkey off our back. It was something that we were obviously aware of,” added Horlock.