Walthamstow v Brightlingsea Regent preview

Walthamstow host Brightlingsea Regent at Wadham Lodge this weekend, in what promises to be a huge match in the fight for a play-off place.

With the top four seemingly settled, this game could have a huge bearing on the final play-off spot. Brightlingsea currently have a five point advantage over Walthamstow, though Stow do have a game in hand.

The game will see two of the league’s form teams go head-to-head. Brightlingsea have picked up 22 points in their last ten games, and Walthamstow 20.

Last time out, the points were shared in a close encounter; Walthamstow’s T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver netting a 94th minute equaliser after Jayden Robinson had given Brightlingsea the lead.

Last season Stow won 3-2 at North Road, while Regent secured the points in a 2-0 victory at the Lodge.

Teenager Walker Shabazz-Edwards, who has impressed at the back for Brightlingsea this season, has signed a professional contract with Ipswich Town, but will spend the rest of this season at Regent, and is expected to play this weekend.

On Friday morning Regent announced the signing of Joe Gregory from Sporting Bengal United. Gregory has netted 12 times for Bengal this season, including one against Stow.

Walthamstow and Brightlingsea’s common people

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.

Winger Bobby Rae spent the 2024-25 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’s last game.

Goalkeeper Lewis Greene, who spent the first half of this season with Walthamstow returned to Brightlingsea last week and is expected to start against his former club.

Walthamstow v Brightlingsea Regent previous meetings