BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT have a score to settle in today’s home showdown against Chatham.

The Kent side thrashed them 5-1 in a Ryman League division one north contest on August 19.

However, Regent boss James Webster says his in-form side are in a “much better place” since that early-season thumping - as testified by the fact they have won their last five league games.

“We’ve got a score to settle with Chatham,” said the Brightlingsea boss, surely a strong contender for the division one north manager-of-the-month award for November.

“It was one of our first games at this level and we got turned over.

“It was one to forget, but we’re in a much better place now with a stronger squad.

“Confidence is high and we’ll certainly look to get a positive result.

“We really feel we’ve adapted to this league now.

“It took a little longer than we would have liked, but I feel we’ve got there now and proved it against Romford (in Tuesday’s 3-1 win).

“They’re a very physical side but we stood up to them, tried to play our football and matched their physicality, which is something we weren’t doing at the start of the season.”

Webster has taken the club all the way from the Essex and Suffolk Border League into the Ryman League, via the Thurlow Nunn League.

And he says the team spirit is the best he has known in his years at North Road.

“I feel we’re in a good place and they’re a great bunch of lads,” he said.

“Everyone has shown a great attitude and they’re proud to play for the club.

“There are no egos and the changing room is as good as it’s been since I’ve been here, in terms of atmosphere.

“They all want to play for each other and back each other up.”

Elsewhere today, WITHAM TOWN head to Grays Athletic in the premier division, while MALDON & TIPTREE will be hoping to build on their midweek win against division one north high-fliers Harlow when they go to Ware.