BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent striker Aaron Condon said it felt “bittersweet” scoring his side’s Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup final winner against FC Clacton.

The front man – the Seasiders’ record scorer - notched the game’s only goal after 54 minutes, following a short corner with Ricky Griggs.

He cut in from the right and unleashed a low effort from the edge of the box that flashed inside the near post.

It proved the defining moment of a hard-fought contest between the Tendring neighbours, at Regent’s Taydal Stadium on Tuesday night.

And while thrilled to grab the winner, Condon admitted it was odd netting against his former club.

“It was a lovely feeling but slightly bittersweet, because of who it came against,” he told the Gazette.

“It was a game I’d been looking forward to for a while and I’ve got a thousand happy memories from my time at Clacton.

“One day I’d like to think I’ll return there. I’m sure I’ll play for them again one day.

“But I’ve got a job to do here now and if my mentality was any different, I wouldn’t be doing Brightlingsea justice.

“I’m their player and my job is to score goals for them.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m playing against - if I’m having a kickabout in the park, I want to shoot and I want to score.

“When you play against a former side, it makes you give that extra ten per cent and put in some strong challenges.

“I had a point to prove and it’s nice to know I’m still a threat.

“It means a lot and it’s a goal I’ll certainly enjoy for the next few days.”

Clacton, of the Thurlow Nunn League premier division, worked tirelessly and never gave up against their Bostik League hosts.

But in terms of chances, Regent certainly did enough to warrant their silverware – a great way to end their first season at step three level. Condon had three other opportunities in the first half, seeing a lobbed effort drop onto the roof of the net and a near-post shot deflected behind before forcing a save from goalkeeper Joe Fowler.

His strike then put daylight between the sides and Griggs nearly added a second, getting goal-side of the visitors’ defence but firing just over the Seasiders’ bar.

Condon, who plundered a hat-trick in Regent’s 9-4 semi-final romp against Springfield, lashed an effort wide after connecting with a long, diagonal pass before Billy Hunt made space for himself in the box but drilled just off-target.

Clacton’s best effort came from full-back Brad James, who tried his luck from distance but fired wide of the right-hand post.

Hunt then went close again at the other end but his low drive from the left was parried by Fowler.

Condon was particularly pleased with his winner and said: “I know that if I get an opportunity with my left foot, I’ve got half a chance.

“We were told before the game to try a few short corners.

“Clacton switched off for a second and you can’t afford to do that in a cup final.

“Ricky set the ball up for me perfectly, right into my path, and if I get a bit of space in that kind of position, there’s only one thing on my mind.

“I’ll always have a shot and that’s my mentality in and around the box. I’ve got a certain mindset when it comes to finishing and that’s why I’ve scored the goals I’ve scored down the years.

“I admit I’m selfish in the final third but to be a striker who scores a lot of goals you have to have that.

“Billy (Hunt) is exactly the same.

“He gets frustrated when I don’t pass to him and I get cross when he doesn’t pass to me but we both understand.

“We’re similar in that we both want to finish chances and trust ourselves to do that.”

All profits from the tournament and final will be donated to the Essex FA Benevolent Fund.