BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent are preparing for an action-packed start to the year that could make-or-break their season.

That’s the view of manager James Webster, ahead of his side’s eight Ryman League fixtures.

Regent travel to Wroxham on Saturday before hosting Waltham Abbey next Tuesday.

They then face Romford, Thurrock, Cray Wanderers, Witham Town, Cheshunt and Soham Town Rangers before the end of January.

“Things normally settle down a bit after Christmas, but it’s going to be a really busy month,” said Webster.

“It’s a big chunk of our season, with the games coming thick and fast every Saturday and Tuesday.

“And with eight matches, there are so many points at stake.

“There are some really big games in there, too, and it could define our season.

“Wroxham is a tough fixture to kick things off and they’re better at home than they are away.

“They move the ball around and I remember they gave us a torrid time in the fixture last season.”

Regent will be without Terry Rymer for the north division matches against Wroxham, Waltham Abbey and Romford.

The striker is banned as a result of his sending off, for violent conduct, in the recent defeat against Tilbury.

“We’ll really miss Terry, because of his energy and work-rate and also because he’s such a great character,” said Webster.

Meanwhile, the Brightlingsea boss admitted being delighted with his side’s 1-0 victory against Heybridge Swifts, at North Road, on Sunday.

Jake Turner’s first-half penalty settled the contest, in front of a bumper crowd of 275.

It completed back-to-back wins for Regent, following last Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Redbridge.

And it took them to tenth in the table – just five points adrift of the play-offs, with games in hand on several of the sides above.

Gazette: TACKLE: Regent’s Phil Kelly does battle with Swifts man Lee Townrow.TACKLE: Regent’s Phil Kelly does battle with Swifts man Lee Townrow.

“The boys have responded very well to the defeat against Tilbury,” said Webster.

“We bounced back against Redbridge and then continued our good work on Sunday.

“Heybridge gave us a very tough game.

“They’re much-improved since we played them earlier in the season, so it was an important win that puts us in a healthy position.

“It’s good to be on the cusp of the play-offs and next year could, hopefully, be a very exciting one for the club.”

Former Regent midfielder Amir Berkane played in Sunday’s game.

However, it was only a one-off, as he was back in the country from America.