GREAT Wakering Rovers striker Nathan Dewberry says he is delighted he decided not to quit football at the end of last season after a storming start to life in green and white.

The 27-year-old from Leigh joined Rovers in November, having previously played for Catholic United and Southend Manor.

But he says he almost quit the game following a successful stint at Basildon United last term.

“I was planning on not playing as my wife had just had our second baby,” said the striker, who has scored 11 goals in seven games.

“Then I got persuaded to play for Catholic before getting an offer from Manor in October. So I went there before speaking to (manager) Iain (O’Connell) and moved there in November.

“Honestly, I missed not playing. I was enjoying it at Manor as Aaron Bloxham was assistant and I worked with him at Basildon, but I am pleased to be back at Wakering now.”

Dewberry played for Wakering when he was 18 and Danny Greaves was manager before taking a spell out of the game.

But he has fired Wakering into the title chase, with four teams in the hunt for Essex Senior League promotion ahead of the final seven weeks of the season.

And Dewberry says he fancies Wakering’s chances.

“I know I can play at this level and it made sense to make this move,” he said.

“We fancy ourselves and the buzz around the camp is really good. We are going into it quietly and are just getting on with it.

“We have a good team and this squad is very talented. We are in a good place.”

>Basildon United closed the gap on the leaders with a terrific 2-0 win at third-placed Redbridge on Tuesday.

Marc Harrison’s team took the lead through Reece Conway’s first half header, before a stunning goal from Marcus Bowers wrapped up the points.

The Bees are now just two points off leaders FC Romania.