Sheppey United manager Kevin Hake hopes his side can mix it with the Kent Invicta League top clubs.

United, who beat Rusthall 5-2 last weekend, travel to last season’s runners-up, Lydd Town, on Saturday before hosting the reigning champions Hollands & Blair on Monday.

“It’s been a baptism of fire for us in this league,” said Hake, whose side have come through games against Orpington and now Rusthall with wins.

“We want to play the best teams and we’re going to be playing teams one and two over the weekend. It’s tough and we’re up against seasoned sides but it’s something we are going to relish.”

Sheppey were promoted last season and Hake knows it will be difficult to make an instant impact against the division’s leading clubs.

He said: “It’s going to be a steep learning curve for us. Hollands & Blair are good enough to be in the Kent League and they should be in there. Lydd are also a cracking team and the two have managed to pick up the cream of the talent.”

But Hake wouldn’t swap his players for anyone.

He said: “With the way our team is maturing, I wouldn’t swap any of our squad. We have gone through phenomenal changes since the start of last season and the rate of our rise has been brilliant."