Ernie Batten puts Sheppey in the second group of teams hoping to win promotion from Isthmian South East this season.

The Ites maintained their 100% start to the league campaign with goals from Danny Leonard, Gil Carvalho and Victor Aiyelabola in a 3-1 win over Erith Town last night.

That’s four straight wins for Batten’s side who are third in the early standings.

They also pushed title favourites Ramsgate all the way in the FA Trophy first qualifying round at the weekend, leading 3-2 in the 88th minute only to lose 3-2 in injury time.

The Ites could take heart from that performance although boss Batten doesn’t see his side as main rivals to Ramsgate.

“At present, with the squad we’ve got, we’d like to think we’ve got an opportunity to be in and around the play-offs,” said Batten.

“That would go for a few other sides as well.

“You’ve got your so-called big-hitters in terms of Ramsgate, Margate, Ashford are investing in their squad, and Sittingbourne seem to push the boat out season upon season and bring in players that make them very strong.

“So there’s four teams that are very strong, with good strength in depth throughout their squad.

“I’d put us in that next little group of teams who can be up there challenging potentially for one of those play-off positions.

“Whether that’s fifth place, or higher, who knows.

“It depends how the season goes.

“We had a good opportunity to beat Ramsgate in the Trophy, who I believe with their squad, are probably the best team in the league.

“Somehow we’ve let that out of our grasp and we have to learn quickly because this league is unforgiving.

“We need to be cutting out those errors going forward.”

While Batten would love nothing more than to bring further success to Sheppey, the club’s quadruple-winning boss and co-owner also appreciates there’s another side to non-league football.

And when it comes to putting on a good day for families, the Ites are a match for anyone.

“When you strip it back, it’s fantastic here,” said Batten, whose side are without a game this weekend.

“The fans come in their numbers and they enjoy their football.

“What’s encouraging now is we’re getting more and more families turning up with the kids.

“I go up in the bar after the Ramsgate game, devastated we’ve lost and trying to put a smile on my face, and people come up to you and say, ‘I really enjoyed today, the result wasn’t what we wanted, but we had a great day’.

“There’s something about that which is really satisfying as a manager and with my interest in the club as well.

“To hear people are coming along and having a good day with their families, that’s what football is all about for me.”