STEVE Butterworth feels Great Wakering Rovers’ next three Isthmian North fixtures could define their season.

Wakering got the campaign off to a flying start by recording back-to-back wins, but defeats to Coggeshall Town and Dereham Town have followed.

And Butterworth is keen to see his side boost their points tally over the course of the next month, starting with an away clash with Romford this weekend.

The Wakering player-manager said: “We now have three fixtures that are massive.

“We have games against Romford, Basildon United and Witham Town coming up as our next three games and we want to go three games unbeaten from that.

“That would see us go into October in a really good place.”

Butterworth’s side head into the contest with Romford having got the group stages of the Isthmian League Cup off to a winning start. Wakering recorded a 3-0 victory over Witham on Tuesday, with all three goals coming in the first half.

Martin Tuohy broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, while Alfie Hilton added his name to the scoresheet five minutes later. Joe Heath ensured there would be no way back for Witham by finding the back of the net shortly before the interval.

And Butterworth is pleased to be returning back to the league programme following an encouraging display.

Butterworth added: “The Isthmian League Cup may not be our priority this season, but we went with a full-strength squad because the players needed minutes on the pitch after not playing at the weekend.

“We were 3-0 up at half-time and, because you’re allowed to make as many substitutions as you want in the competition, I made five changes at the break.

“I feel as though we were fairly comfortable from the get-go.

“They didn’t really create anything and it would good for us to get up and running ahead of some big games.”