BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent striker Aaron Condon has doubled his target for the season – and says he could never have dreamt of having 31 goals by February.

The speedy front man set his sights on scoring 15 goals after moving from Tendring neighbours FC Clacton last May.

However, despite stepping up from the Thurlow Nunn League, he has taken the Ryman League by storm and added two more to his impressive tally in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at home to Aveley.

His prolific heroics have helped take Regent to second spot in division north, with a chance to go joint-top with leaders Maldon and Tiptree if they beat Ware at North Road tonight.

“I felt I owed the boys a good performance, to be honest,” said Condon, speaking after Saturday’s brace.

“For the last three or four weeks I’ve been playing alright, but the goals have been missing from my game.

“To therefore score twice and be man-of-the-match at the weekend was really pleasing.

“It’s taken me to 31 goals – just one behind my tally for Clacton last season, at a lower level in the Thurlow Nunn League.

“I never would have thought it possible and probably would have laughed, if someone had told me I’d have this number of goals in February.

“My target for the season was 15 because, for whatever reason, it’s never really worked out for me in the Ryman League.

“I always felt a bit of an outsider at Needham Market and Maldon and Tiptree.

“Here, it’s the complete opposite and I’m so happy at Brightlingsea.

“They’re a genuinely lovely bunch of lads and it’s a very happy camp.

“Negativity is non-existent and we never get on each other’s backs.

“To score so many at this level is a really big deal for me and I have to give so much credit to the boys around me and the way we play.

“The service I get is outstanding.

“At Clacton, I had to create a lot of my chances myself and produce something out of nothing.

“It’s different here and I’m certainly benefitting.

“I know I’m always going to get chances because of the quality around me.”

Regent are steeling themselves for a thrilling end to the season.

They are three points behind Maldon with two games in hand – one of which is tonight – and are yet to taste defeat in 2017.

They have won nine of their last 11 matches and six of their last seven at North Road.

“To be honest, it feels very strange,” added Condon.

“At Clacton, we always went into the last dozen games facing a relegation battle.

“Staying up represented a big success.

“Now I’m at a higher level pushing for promotion and top spot is achievable.

“We’ll still be happy with a play-off spot, although having got ourselves into this position I believe we’ve got to go for the title.”

Condon is vying to finish as Regent’s top goal-scorer and admits he has enjoyed the friendly rivalry with fellow striker Tom Richardson, who has 22 goals.

“I’d love to finish as top scorer and have made no secret of that,” he said.

“Tom would say the same thing, of course.

“He wants to finish above me and I’d be worried if he felt differently, because as a striker you need to have a selfish streak.

“We get on really well and it’s great competition, which can only help the team.”