MIDFIELDER Luke Read is setting his sights on more goals after hitting a deadly dozen for Brightlingsea Regent.

The midfielder took his tally to 12 after striking twice in Tuesday’s 4-1 triumph against Waltham Abbey.

Phil Kelly and Russell Malton were also on target and the result lifted Regent to eighth in the Ryman League north division – three points adrift of the play-offs and fifth-placed Tilbury.

“After a bit of a drought, I was happy to get back on the scoresheet and pleased to help the team get back to winning ways,” said the 25-year-old, a summer signing from Ipswich Wanderers.

“I’m happy to have reached 12 goals and, for now, my target is 15.

“That’s my aim and I’m well on the way. Hopefully I can manage even more.

“I try not to think too much when I’m in front of goal.

“If you do, you over-complicate things.

“I’d rather rely on my instincts and hope good things follow.

“When I came here, the manager said he wanted me to be an attacking midfielder, to get goals and help the strikers.

“I’ve always looked to do that but have never had as many as this before, at this stage of the season.

“It’s going really well and I’m enjoying playing at the higher level.

“The step up is big in terms of physicality, but not so much from a football point of view.

“A lot of the players are much stronger and I’ve had to get myself fitter than ever before.”

Tuesday’s match was the second of eight during an action-packed January for Brightlingsea, who drew 3-3 at Wroxham on Saturday.

Boss James Webster believes this month could define the club’s season and their next two fixtures are both at home – against Romford on Saturday and Cray Wanderers next Tuesday.

“We’re in a good position and if we keep going as we are – beating the weaker teams and matching the stronger ones – we’ll be there or thereabouts,” added Read, who has also played for Thurlow Nunn League pair Woodbridge Town and Hadleigh United.

“The aim is to make the play-offs and there’s no reason why we can’t.

“We’re more than capable of going up.”

The only negative on Tuesday night was the news loanee goalkeeper Ollie Bowles is being recalled by Concord Rangers and being sent out to Ryman League premier division side Brentwood Town.

Former Maldon & Tiptree boss Mike Flanagan was recently appointed manager at the latter, while his son, Adam, is in charge at Concord.

“To be honest, we had an inkling it was going to happen,” said Webster.

“Brentwood need a keeper and obviously there’s the connection between them and Concord.