BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent goal king Phil Kelly is closing in on a magical century.

The long-serving front man is two goals away from bringing up three figures for the R’s, having taken his tally to 98 in Saturday’s Ryman League division north draw at Soham Town Rangers.

Now he is setting his sights on reaching 100 – possibly, and hopefully, by scoring a brace in tonight’s match at home to Norwich United.

“It would be a lovely milestone and something I’d be very proud of,” said Kelly, who has made over 200 appearances for the club, joining Regent in autumn 2009 when they were still in the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

“It’s been in my mind for a while and I went into the season knowing I needed another 14 goals.

“I also knew that was within reach, because I always start off with a target of 20.

“To be so close now is exciting and I’d love to bring the hundred up at North Road. We’re at home in our next three games and it would be perfect to get to three figures in front of our own supporters.

“In many ways it hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m so close.

“I take each year as it comes and can’t quite believe I’m so close to this milestone.

“I’ve been very pleased with some of the goals, down the years.

“One of the earliest I remember came in the Border League days, in a match against West Bergholt.

“I scored the winning goal after chesting the ball down near the halfway line and volleying it over their keeper.

“It earned us three points and that was in the season we went on to win the title.

“I must admit, there have been a few other good ones in there since and it’s been great scoring against established, higher-placed opposition like Harlow and Hornchurch.

“But a lot of my favourites have been the important goals.

“They might not have been the best on the eye but they’ve come in big games and meant a lot to the team.

“It’s nice to score a 30-yarder but it doesn’t mean too much when you’re already 3-0 up.

“If it’s a vital goal that changes a result, though, it’s an amazing feeling and gives everyone in the team a lift.”

Kelly notched his 12th goal of the season at Soham on Saturday, with Aaron Condon also netting late on to salvage a 2-2 draw.

It means Regent are brilliantly placed in division north – third in the table and breathing down the necks of leaders Maldon and Tiptree and second-placed Thurrock.

They have three games in hand on both – one of which is tonight – and Kelly believes this is the strongest Regent squad in his seven and a bit years at North Road.

“I’ve played with some exceptional players down the years but I’d say this is the strongest Brightlingsea team,” said the 28-year-old, who was previously with Stanway Rovers and Cornard United.

“I also think it’s important that we’ve kept the core of our team, from the Border League days.

“We know where we’ve come from. It’s kept us grounded but it’s also spurred us on to keep achieving. We’re very pleased with the position we’ve got ourselves into.

“It’s proving a bit of an emotional roller-coaster but we’ve got strength in depth and we’re organised. Everyone knows their role in the team.

“(Manager) James (Webster) has been a massive factor and he’s believed in me from day one.

“He knows I’m a confidence player and when things aren’t going for me, he puts an arm around me and gets me believing in myself again. He’s an excellent man-manager and it’s been an absolute pleasure playing my part in the club’s recent success.”