Brightlingsea Regent v Walthamstow preview

Walthamstow remain in the county of Essex as they face off against Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday in the Isthmian League North Division.

Wednesday evening, Stow made the trip to Tilbury to play Grays Athletic and came away with a point after a 1-1 draw. Stow did take the lead when Joe Elliott’s long throw was bundled over the line by a Grays defender, but the hosts equalised just eight minutes later. A deep cross into the box from Grays skipper Tyler Brampton was headed home at the back post by Oscar Shelvey.

Brightlingsea currently sit second from bottom in the Isthmian League table winning two out of their last five games. On Tuesday, the R’s took on Witham Town in the Isthmian League Cup but were knocked out after a 4-2 loss at home. Their last league game ended in a 2-0 win at home to Waltham Abbey. Charlie During gave the hosts the lead in the second half, with Shane Temple securing the three points twenty minutes later.

Last season’s meetings between the two sides ended in a draw and a Regent win. Stow made the trip to North Road in November and snatched a point in the 94th minute via T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver. The R’s arrived in E17 in March with Stow looking to continue their playoff push but suffered a setback as Regent took the 3 points in a 2-0 win. Goals before half time from Michael Okafor and Louie Kudiabor sealed the win for the visitors with Stow unable to fight back in the second half.

Walthamstow and Brightlingsea’s common people

Former Stow front man Sulley Zudhu had a spell at Brightlingsea, where he impressed so much in his first few games – scoring five in five – that he signed a contract with the club. He ended up with 12 goals in ten games, but couldn’t save Regent from relegation, and he left in the summer of 2023.

 Last season winger Bobby Rae spent the pre-season with Walthamstow but departed before the season proper started. Evangelos (Evans) Empochontsif finished the 2022-23 season at Walthamstow, and was part of Nicky Ironton’s side which made it to the Southern League Central play-offs. Both were on the bench for Regent at the end of last season, but have since moved on.

 Goalkeeper Lewis Greene, who spent the first half of this season with Walthamstow returned to Brightlingsea and played against us in Brightlingsea’s 2-0 win. He since moved to Canvey Island, but has fallen out of favour after going winless in each of their first nine league games.

 Josh Riza made a couple of appearances from the bench for Stow earlier this season, and since moved to Brightlingsea, where he has made one start and three substitute appearances.

Current winger Tyrone Baker also spent time at Brightlingsea, during the last part of the 2023/2024 season.

Other players include Essex Senior League winning captain Adalberto Pinto, Eman Okunja, Olly Sotoyinbo, Toch Singh, Lamar Johnson, Dan Brock and Harrison Carnegie.