Warren Mfula has carried on where he left off last season by banging in the goals for Sheppey.

The striker’s double in a 2-2 FA Cup draw with Isthmian Premier Lewes on Saturday took his tally for the campaign to eight, and he’s been rewarded with a new contract.

Unfortunately he couldn't add to his tally last night as the Ites lost the replay 8-0.

“As a striker you live or die by your goals,” said Mfula, who hit 35 goals in 29 games during Sheppey’s quadruple-winning season.

“When you finish your career, you look back on the goals you score and go, ‘wow, I scored loads there’ or ‘that was a good goal there’.

“I’ve carried on from last season, which is very good. I’ve played the level before (Isthmian South East), so I knew what to expect.

“Teams are fitter and smarter, well-drilled, and you have to raise your game to see the best of yourself.”

United are in knockout action again this Saturday (3pm), hosting Hertford Town in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.

It’s a tie Mfula wants to win but, at the same time, he can’t wait to get back to league action.

Cup commitments mean the Ites have only played three Isthmian South East games so far, taking one point.

“The road to Wembley starts again on Saturday,” said Mfula.

“I’ve never played against Hertford, I know nothing about them but we’ll prepare ourselves for the game and hopefully get the win.

“We’ve played a lot of cup games and, to be honest, I just want to play in the league.

“We’ve had a slow start, as we expected, but it’s a long season.

“You always want to start fast but everybody’s going to drop points. We have our targets, we just have to be patient.

“We just need to get that first win and we’ll be off.”

Mfula is enjoying working under new player-boss Jack Midson. They were team-mates last season, so the relationship has changed slightly with Midson now his manager.

“I do treat him differently now,” said Mfula. “He’s still a player but you have to be mindful what you say or you might be dropped for the next game!

“Jack’s an absolute top man, the way he speaks to people and the way he deals with people. I’ve got the utmost respect for him.

“He’s been at the club for a few years, he’s been part of the group, so he knows what to do. That’s made the transition easy for him.”