Billy Bennett lifted the Kent Senior Trophy for Sheppey United last week - and they are now one game away from making it to this season’s final.

The delayed 2019/20 final took place last Tuesday, The Ites clinching the Trophy with a 3-1 win over Corinthian. There was no 2020/21 competition but this season’s version is already at the semi-final stage as Sheppey head to Glebe to play for a place in the final.

Stand-in captain Bennett - wearing the armband in place of injured striker Jack Midson - has won plenty of things at this level, including three promotions, but Tuesday’s cup win felt extra special.

Bennett said: “Jack has been a big miss on the pitch but he’s still around off it and it has been a privilege to take the armband off him. It was really nice to win the cup with Sheppey, and on a personal level with the armband on, but for the club it should spur us on now for the rest of the season.

“I have been involved in some promotion sides at this level, the most recent being Sevenoaks, also at Greenwich and VCD. I have won various cups at this level but Tuesday’s win was the most pleasing for me, personally, because of where we have come as a team.

“It’s crazy that we are already defending our title with a semi-final this weekend. To potentially win the trophy twice in the same calendar year would certainly go down in history but Glebe are very good, they play very good football and tactically they are aware. Saturday will be a testing game but hopefully we will get some revenge on them.”

Last month Glebe beat Sheppey 2-0 at Foxbury Avenue and a ding-dong match at Holm Park before Christmas ended in a 3-3 draw. Glebe are chasing Sheppey and Chatham for the top two places in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

Cup success is big for Sheppey but the title is obviously key.

Bennett said: “Everyone has been affected by Covid and especially us, we thought we were the most outstanding team in the division but unfortunately on points per game we got pipped by Corinthian (last season). We keep striving and hopefully this year we will get our rewards and finally get promoted.”

There was no cup hangover as the Ites eased to a 3-0 win over Punjab United on Saturday thanks to Jefferson Aibangbee’s first-half double and a late strike from Bennett, taking his tally for the season to 14.

Sheppey beat Canterbury City 1-0 on Tuesday night and are three points behind Chatham in the chase for honours at the top of the SCEFL Premier Division. Warren Mfula scored an early winner.

“It is quite easy to be complacent after a big win, especially a cup victory, but we know the job in hand,” said Bennett. “We need to treat all games like cup finals and keep it going.

“I am happy with the goals I’ve scored, I would have liked more, I missed a penalty on Saturday and I have my own targets. But the most important thing is we win and come the end of the season whether I have reached my own targets or not, as long as we have got promotion under our belts we will all be happy.”

Sheppey are an exciting team to watch, set up to attack down the flanks with pace, and Bennett has enjoyed it under manager Ernie Batten.

He added: “Ernie loves everyone to express themselves and with the facilities we have got, it gives everyone that extra 10-15% to go and do what they can. With the defence we have, which we have worked hard on and shut up shop many times, we always know we are going to create chances. We look to have the balance right this year and hopefully that can continue.”