Brightlingsea Regent return to Isthmian League North action after a two-week hiatus on Saturday, making the hour-long trip westwards to Takeley FC at Station Road, Takeley. Ryan Salter's lads will be looking to turn around the current poor run of form on Saturday, with the new addition to the coaching staff in Karl Duguid being a welcome addition to the dugout.

Despite the break in competitive league fixtures, due to original opponents AFC Sudbury's progression in the FA Trophy, Brightlingsea Regent remained in action on Saturday, facing Hutton FC in a friendly for the second occasion this campaign. Although Regent suffered defeat, it provided an opportunity for players to gain valuable minutes, as well as work on the tactical side before an important league fixture.

Seeking our first league win of the season, Regent head to Takeley, who currently sit in tenth place, despite currently being unbeaten at home, for the first of two consecutive away games in just four days. Here is the key information ahead of our trip:

Opposition: Takeley FC

Location: Station Road, Takeley

Kick Off: Saturday 19th September – 3PM

Ticket Prices: No information available currently

Team News:

Jake Clowsley will continue to serve his three-game suspension and will likely return to the squad for next Saturday's home fixture against Bowers & Pitsea. Aside from Jake, the remainder of the squad should be available for selection at the weekend, providing depth across all positions.

As confirmed earlier in the week, striker Mekhi McKenzie is no longer a Regent player after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, joining Concord Rangers on Tuesday.

A look at the opposition:

Founded in 1900, Takeley FC began their history competing in the Bishop's Stortford, Stansted and District division, spending over seventy years there, before joining the Essex Senior League.

After finishing second in the division during the 2007/08 campaign, they were admitted into the Essex Senior League, ultimately climbing up the divisions once again in 2025, achieving promotion to the Isthmian League North, where they remain today. Currently under the management of the Kieran Amos, Takeley narrowly avoided relegation last campaign, finishing in seventeenth place, six points safe off the drop zone to secure another season of eight tier football.

This season, however, Takeley have started in mixed fashion, securing three points in both their home games so far against Wroxham and Buckhurst Hill, but picking up just one point on the road, with one draw and two defeats leaving them in tenth position. With such immense home form, Regent will need to be at their best on Saturday.

The last time we met:

Our most recent meeting with Takeley was certainly one to remember for R's fans, with an emphatic 4-0 victory back in April signing off the season's fixtures at North Road in style. Despite Brightlingsea Regent already securing survival, we started the game in flying colours, with Dan Rowe rebounding the opener off the post in just the second minute.

Supporters were forced to wait until the dying moments of the game before Regent began to score once again, until substitute Jake Clowsley doubled the advantage from the edge of the area. Once injury time began, Brightlingsea began to be rewarded for their attacking efforts, with a quick-fire double from Ola Bello and Timi Davies sealing the three points and ending the season's home fixtures on an incredibly positive note.