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Sheppey United’s impressive start to the season continued with a Bank Holiday double - but the challenge is raised a notch this Saturday.
A home win over Sevenoaks Town on Saturday was followed by a 4-0 thumping of Hythe Town two days later as the Ites made it three wins from their opening three Isthmian South East fixtures.
Cup football takes over again for the next fortnight as Ernie Batten’s men host Hanwell Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round this Saturday before facing league rivals Ramsgate at Holm Park the following weekend in the FA Trophy.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s home game against Southern League Premier Division side Hanwell Town - who play one level above them in the football pyramid - assistant boss Geoff Record is predicting a tough afternoon, despite their good form.
He said: “There are some good teams in that league and for us to get through, the lads have got to be 100% at their level and maintain it for the whole game.
“We will have to be at our very best to win that game. It’s a hard game for us, but we’re at home, we’re scoring goals, creating chances and we have at least three or four consistent goalscorers in our team.
“We will hopefully have the crowd behind us but it will still be hard, they will be good.”
Saturday’s visitors Sevenoaks were managed by Batten’s former assistant Marcel Nimani and included plenty of ex players in the team, including Jahmal Howlett-Mundle - who got sent off for a challenge early in the second half - Jefferson Aibangbee, Rodney Eruotor and striker Warren Mfula.
But it was Batten’s current crop who had the edge, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Jacob Lambert, Mamadou Diallo and Sam Itauma.
Mfula got a stoppage-time consultation for Sevenoaks.
Record said: “We were 2-0 up at half-time but it should have been three or four really, we were just a bit disappointed we weren’t further in front.
“We had a bit of trouble maintaining that level second half and dropped away a bit. They had a player sent off and it made it worse rather than better for us!
“We eventually got the third goal and they got a consolation at the end. Certainly in the first half we were very good.
“I think knowing so many players was a bit of a motivation on both sides, plenty or former Sheppey players and you expect them to lift the game. There was a bit extra on it.”
On Monday the Ites claimed another impressive win, a 4-0 victory at the Reachfields Stadium against Hythe - a club who have their former chairman Matt Smith overseeing things.
Batten’s men went a goal up through Gil Carvalho and two headed efforts - one in each half - from Dan Carr ensured the points were returning to the island. Eitel Goueth added a fourth a minute from time.
All three players registered their first goals for the club in the win.
Record said: “Conditions at Hythe were quite difficult, it was a warm day and the pitch was very dry. It was difficult to play on.
“They play a bit of a long-ball game and we got bombarded from long balls. They have Jack Steventon with a long throw and every time it went out 30-40 yards away from our goal he launched it back in like a corner.
“We took some time to settle down but once we did we played some good stuff, scored some good goals, created a few other chances and it turned out really well.
“The lads kept their energy levels high as well. We ran the legs off Hythe, our lads looked really fit.”
Sheppey and Ramsgate have both won their opening three fixtures to make the early running in the table.
Record said: “It’s early days but Alan Jack, the club historian, told us that at this level Sheppey have never been top of a league - so even if it’s for a day that will do!
“We had a lot of changes in the summer, some key players went, but a lot of work has been done behind the scenes to replace them.
“In pre-season we were trying to judge players, there were so many changes and it was hard to get anything going, but from the first game of the season onwards we have made just one or two changes and have slowly gelled as a team.
“Instead of everyone trying individually to impress, they have come together really well. That has been the main difference.”
There have been some standout individuals, none more so than Jacob Lambert.
He scored against Sevenoaks and helped create two more on Monday.
Record said: “It was a lovely cross for the first one that Dan Carr scored. He was on the run, he looked up and crossed.
“He had another where he won a tackle, hit a shot, the keeper parried and Eitel followed it up to score his first goal for us as well.
“Jacob has been playing great. He has added a lot to his football.
“I remember last season when we played Merthyr Tydfil down there, I had a go at him for not tackling. Their no.6 was getting on the ball but I told him he needed to starting tackling.
“To be fair to him, in the last year his improvement not only with the ball but without it, he has been immense.
“He has been getting back, tackling, creating chances, scoring goals. What else can the lad do!?
“He has a football brain and everything he does in possession is really natural for him and he is a great lad as well.”
