MANAGER James Webster says new signing Shamido Pedula “ticks every box” in terms of the type of attacking player he wants at Brightlingsea Regent.

The striker has joined from Ryman League north division rivals Witham Town and is poised to make his debut in Saturday’s home match against AFC Hornchurch.

Webster has admitted being a long-time admirer of the pacey front man and tried to sign him in the summer.

Now he is delighted to finally get his man and said: “I’m really pleased and see this as a big signing for our club.

“I’ve watched him several times in the past three seasons and he’s always impressed me.

“I tried to sign him in the close-season but it didn’t come off.

“He’s exactly the sort of attacking player I like because he’s direct, takes players on and gets people off their seats.

“He plays with real tempo, which is how we like to play, and is exciting to watch.

“He’ll add even more pace to our forward line and can play in any of the attacking positions, so it gives me even more options in those areas."

Ironically, Pedula had been set to make his debut against former club Witham on Tuesday night.

However, the match was called off in the afternoon due to the waterlogged state of the Village Glass Stadium pitch.

It means Pedula, a proven goal-scorer in the division both with Witham and Heybridge Swifts, will now make his Brightlingsea bow against Hornchurch instead.

Webster is expecting a tough match between two of the form teams in the Ryman League.

Regent have won their last four games while Hornchurch are second in the table and won 2-1 at Cheshunt on Tuesday night.

“They’ve only lost once in their last eight games, so we know how tough it will be,” said Webster.

“They’ve had some big results within that sequence but we relish playing the top teams and will look forward to it. It’s been a bit of a strange time as we didn’t play on Tuesday and didn’t have a game on Saturday.

“We’d hit form but have stuttered a bit because of the lack of matches.

“Hopefully we won’t be rusty and will be able to keep our tempo going on Saturday.”

Regent are back at North Road on Tuesday night, for an Alan Turvey Trophy match at home to Enfield Town.

The winners will face a third-round tie at home to either Wingate and Finchley or Gray Athletic.