FC CLACTON player-boss Ray Turner believes his side have made rapid progress in 2013.

And he says his players are hopeful of ending the year on a high in Friday afternoon’s Thurlow Nunn League premier division showdown at home to Brightlingsea Regent.

Barring wet weather and the threat of a postponement, the Tendring derby is due to kick-off at 3pm.

And Turner says a positive result and performance would be a fitting way to end an encouraging year.

“This time last season we were bottom of the table and losing heavily,” said the striker, who scored his side’s early opener in Saturday’s crazy 4-4 draw at Thetford Town.

“This time, the squad is so much better.

“We’re still a work in progress but we’re now fifth from bottom, with games in hand, and we had a fantastic FA Cup run. It’s mostly the same group of players – I haven’t made vast changes – but our young team have improved and got better and that will continue to happen in 2014.

“There’s a lot of football still to be played and we’re very capable of getting a few more wins under our belts.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the derby game and it almost feels like a cup tie.

“It should be a good spectacle and hopefully we’ll get a few people over to watch.

“We’re underdogs but we’ll certainly give it our best shot.

“Brightlingsea are flying in the league and having a fantastic run in the FA Vase.

“But we’re a confident group and we’ve already proved that we can dominate spells of games and score goals against anyone.”