BRANTHAM Athletic joint-boss Matt Carmichael says his side have no reason to fear runaway leaders Felixstowe and Walton United.

The Thurlow Nunn League teams are set to meet in a top-of-the-table premier division showdown at the Leisure Centre tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Brantham are fourth while their opponents have an enormous 21-point lead over second-placed Stowmarket Town, having won 21 of their 22 games.

Their most recent success was an 8-0 romp at Wivenhoe Town on Wednesday night.

Carmichael believes the Seasiders will have the title wrapped up early next year - but fully expects his players to make life difficult for them tomorrow.

“Felixstowe are only ten games or so from winning the league,” said the Imps joint-boss, who runs the side with Michael Brothers.

“They’ve won all their games bar one and they’re very capable of keeping that run going.

“However, I wouldn’t say they’re head and shoulders above other teams and it’s not like they’re smashing other sides.

“Their success is more down to their togetherness, because the core of their squad have been together for three or four years.

“They’ve added quality and kept the spine of their side together.

“They’ve got a real squad mentality and have set a benchmark, in terms of the way we’re trying to do things here at Brantham.

“It’s a model we’re trying to copy, in terms of achieving success through building a squad.

“That said, I don’t think we need to fear them.

“No-one in our league should fear anyone because we’re all at the same level for a reason.

“We’re all semi-professional and it’s not like any of us are out on the training pitch every day.

“Because of that, anything can happen on any given day and we’ve proved already that we’re right up there among the best in the division.”

Carmichael admits his squad will be tested in the coming days.

After tomorrow’s crunch match, Brantham have a derby at in-form FC Clacton on Tuesday night.

The Tendring side have only lost one of their last dozen league games and are unbeaten in six matches at the Rush Green Bowl.

The Imps will check on the fitness of several players before tomorrow’s match, having picked up knocks in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at home to Hadleigh United.

Adam Bloss is a non-starter and there are doubts over Michael Murray, Sam Newson, Ed Nobbs and Terry Rymer. Jack Smith and Brothers scored against Hadleigh, while the latter was also on target in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Ely City.

“Ely was probably our worst performance of the season but the boys responded well on Tuesday night,” said Carmichael.

“We were never in danger and should have won by more.”

Meanwhile, Brantham have confirmed that Jack Wignall, the son of former Colchester United defender Steve, has been appointed assistant manager and he will work alongside Carmichael, Brothers and coach Ben Swan.

“Jack will bring experience to the role and be a different voice on the sidelines and in the dressing room,” added Carmichael.