Sheppey United head into a Boxing Day derby at home to Sittingbourne back on track after a post-FA Cup lull.

Three successive wins have propelled Ernie Batten’s side into the thick of the Isthmian South East play-off places.

The Ites have taken maximum points from two tough trips to West Sussex, with a 2-1 win at Lancing on Saturday following a 6-0 thrashing of Littlehampton Town last Tuesday.

Captain Richie Hamill is delighted to see their form re-ignited after following up their FA Cup defeat to Walsall last month with successive losses in the league.

Hamill said: “We had a bit of a lull after the FA Cup, a little bit of a hangover, but we have been back on track in the last five or six games and been a lot better.

“It’s helped to have players like Dan Bradshaw and Danny Leonard come back into the squad (from injury) which strengthens us. We had been a bit light on numbers in the squad and that didn’t help.

“It was probably a bit of a mental thing as well after the FA Cup being such a high and then coming back to league action, but we are now looking forward to Boxing Day.”

The Ites have taken 14 points from their last six games, unbeaten since the 6-0 drubbing at Three Bridges last month.

Leonard marked his return on Saturday by scoring an 88th-minute winner, cutting inside from the wing and finishing well.

“The game on Saturday could have gone either way, really,” admitted the skipper.

“We had a couple of chances near the end and snatched it. It was probably a bit harsh on them and a draw would have been a fair result, but we were very happy with the win.

“I have seen Danny do that loads of times, coming in off the left or the right. It wasn’t a massive surprise to a lot of us and it was massive to have him back. It gives us another option. He is a very good player and can only strengthen us.”

Sittingbourne are also riding high in the table - three points ahead of the Ites in third.

Hamill scored a stoppage-time penalty against the Brickies in a 2-2 draw when they last met in the league in August.

Sheppey have had the upper-hand this season, though, after beating their Swale rivals in the FA Trophy and it’s a game Hamill is looking forward to.

He said: “That last league game had a bit of everything - a typical derby match. It is going to be a tough test again and they are right up there for a reason. It should be a good game.

“There had been quite a long period of time where we were in different divisions and weren’t playing each other but over the last few years we have re-ignited that little rivalry again and it is definitely good for the local area and the fans are looking forward to it.”

Sheppey are at their Holm Park ground in three of their next four league outings and Hamill hopes they can make the most of their home advantage.

“We have always been pretty good at home,” he said. “It is quite a big pitch and suits the way we play. Any game at home we fancy our chances.”

Their away game in that period is at Hythe on New Year’s Day. With the Boxing Day fixture before a home clash with Broadbridge Heath on Saturday, December 30, there’s little time to enjoy the festivities but Hamill is sure the lads will be sensible.

He said: “Boxing Day is always good, a lot of people will be there, that is one we are definitely looking forward to.

“It’s the norm for us, life is busy but football is a nice release.

“You have to be sensible, there is plenty of time to enjoy yourselves over the festive period.

“The players won’t want to come in and let their mates down. We have a job to do and hopefully we can get the wins.”

The Ites, meanwhile, have confirmed the departure of striker Alex Willis.

He leaves after scoring eight goals this season with the club saying he was moving on in search of regular football and that “the return to fitness of Dan Bradshaw and recruitment of Javaun Splatt has seen recent opportunities limited.”