Ernie Batten has defended Sheppey’s 3G pitch in light of Malachi Hudson’s decision to leave Holm Park.

Winger Hudson has joined promotion rivals Glebe due to concerns over playing on 3G.

He suffered a knee injury before joining the Ites and felt the artificial pitch may have been causing problems.

Boss Batten understands Hudson’s reasons but is confident their pitch is just as safe, and maybe even safer, than grass.

“Malachi was doing very well, he loved the club and didn’t want to leave but it comes down to the 3G,” said Batten.

“He had a bad knee injury before coming here which he’d kind of recovered from but when he started playing for us, his knee was quite tender and swollen at one point, so he made the decision that he didn’t want to continue on the new surface.

“There’s no data that 3G increases the risk of injury.

“To the contrary, the science has been done and if you go on the FA website, it concludes there is no increased risk of playing on 3G, especially our own, which is the very latest technology.

“When Malachi first had his injury he asked the surgeon if it was wise to play on 3G and the surgeon assured him he could but when a player gets something in their mind, it’s quite logical you’d think maybe it’s the surface and you’d want to look after yourself.

“It’s a shame because he’s a terrific lad but he made the decision to go and play on grass, he’s got a couple of friends at Glebe, so I wasn’t surprised to see him go there.”

The reaction to Sheppey’s pitch, which was installed last summer, has been overwhelmingly positive, with only one other exception.

“We spoke to a player at a Step Four club who play on grass who had an agreement with his manager that he wouldn’t play in away games on 3G,” said Batten.

“I think the concerns probably stem from the early pitches, the old astroturf pitches where you’d leave half your leg on the pitch if you went in for a slide-tackle.

“Maybe that’s still out there but if you walk on our pitch it’s like a lush carpet.

“I’d be very surprised if anyone sustained any injuries on it that they wouldn’t sustain on grass.

“We’ve had no issues and I think it’s probably better than grass, especially when you get to the end of the season and the pitches are rock-hard and rutted.

“The ankle-deep mud jobs can be a bit tricky with injuries, too.

“It’s just an individual thing but I don’t think there’s a problem, I think 3G is probably safer than grass because the pitches run so true.”

Sheppey have another game on 3G to look forward to after reaching the Kent Senior Trophy final for the fourth time in six years.

They take on Hollands & Blair at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on April 10 after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at Glebe on Saturday.

The Ites won the delayed 2019/20 final against Corinthian a fortnight ago and remain on course to lift the the trophy again after new signing Max Oldham and captain Helge Orome, with a last-minute winner, sank Glebe.

“I’m delighted to get to the final,” said Batten. “I believe that’s our fourth Kent Senior Trophy final in six years and one of those years we didn’t play in the competition because we were in the Kent Senior Cup instead.

“Glebe had won every game at home this season so to go there and end their unblemished record is a great result.

“We played well and deserved to go through."

As well as Oldham, Sheppey have also signed Henry Dasofunjo from Erith & Belvedere, Ashley Shepherd from Rusthall and Danny Divine from Sevenoaks.

The Ites, 3-2 winners over Erith Town on Tuesday, visit Tower Hamlets on Saturday.