Manager Ernie Batten says Sheppey’s Kent Senior Trophy victory helps vindicate his belief his squad has enough winners in it to enjoy even more success.

The Ites came from behind to beat Corinthian 3-1 at Chatham’s Bauvill Stadium in the delayed 2019/20 final through a brace from Warren Mfula before a late Ryan Sawyer own goal sealed the victory, despite Corinthian midfielder Jack Mahoney having given his team a first-half lead.

“When you get to finals, you need big characters to step up and give a performance,” said Batten.

“I think we showed on Tuesday that we had players who were capable of doing that.

"That was a very good factor and a good indicator of future success.”

Batten also praised the performance of player-of-the-match Mfula who was only denied a hat-trick by some superb keeping from Corinthian goalkeeper Aiden Prall.

He commented: “I have known Warren for a few seasons.

“I think that was a really class forward performance. He worked extremely hard, led the line well, was a threat all night and deserved his two goals - and maybe even could have got four goals!

• Match report: Corinthian 1-3 Sheppey

“He will be kicking himself for not getting a couple more, but he has done his job. He is a good striker.”

Many would expect the Ites, who have a number of players with higher-league experience, to challenge for silverware.

But Batten, whose side hadn’t won the Kent Senior Trophy since 2016, admitted: “You have to work extremely hard to win any trophy.

“I said to the lads before the game 'Have a count of how many cups, trophies or medals that you have got on your mantelpiece'. They are hard to get.

“I have played with some very, very good players and they haven’t got anything to show for it at the end of their career.

“That was the instruction before the game - go and put something on the mantelpiece so you can turn around when you have finished playing and say ‘Look, I won that and I won that’.

“When you get to a final, that’s the opportunity that you have.”

The Ites could yet win another two pieces of silverware this term, with the club challenging leaders Chatham for the Southern Counties East Premier Division title and also still in the 2021/22 Kent Senior Trophy.

But Batten was not getting carried away, saying: “We take one game at a time and will get the boys’ feet back on the ground.

“If we can do that, and continue our hard work, we give ourselves a chance.”

He also praised the club’s supporters who were in fine voice as he added: “We have got some superb fans at the football club and they were really vocal, got behind us, and it was a really big help.”

Should Sheppey earn promotion, they may join Corinthian, who are now play in Isthmian South East, in the same league so Batten was delighted to see his troops beat higher-league opponents.

“It's a good gauge,” he suggested.

“I think they are mid-table-ish which is a good first season at that level. So full credit to them.

“But we showed that we can compete at that level with a good all-round level.”

Sheppey's focus is back on league matters this Saturday as they host Punjab.

They are six points leaders Chatham but with two games in hand on them following their goalless draw at Deal on Tuesday night.