Ben Smith believes Ramsgate’s match against Sheppey will be an exciting one for the neutrals.

The two early-season Isthmian South East high-fliers are set to lock horns on Saturday, with both having perfect league records.

Ramsgate have already claimed a 3-2 victory over Ernie Batten’s team at Holm Park in the FA Trophy this term but, while some of the personnel in both camps may be different, another attacking encounter looks like it will lie in wait at Southwood.

Ramsgate boss Smith said: “There will be different personnel but I don’t expect it to be a different game.

“Over the last season or so, we have played Sheppey four times already. They will play the exact same way that they have played against us in the past - and so will we.

“It’s an exciting game for any neutral coming, that’s for sure, because I like the way Sheppey play.

“The way we play isn’t too dissimilar so it’ll kind of be, man-for-man, who’s the best.”

Report: Ramsgate 1-3 Cray Valley PM

Smith on Rams’ FA Trophy exit

While both have made good starts, Smith feels it’s too early to tell how many sides could potentially be involved in the title race this time around after they were pipped to the post by Cray Valley PM last campaign.

He said: “It’s hard to tell.

“I’ve called Burgess Hill in the last couple of years - and they have been miles off it. I have called them again because, in pre-season, they were looking like they would be a strong side.

“But they haven’t started very well, although they won on Saturday (beating early leaders Beckenham 4-2).

“It’s still early days so I’d expect Burgess Hill to be up there.

“Then, it’s probably Sittingbourne and a few other Kent sides, as well as us.”

Ramsgate, who are then at Steying Town Community on Tuesday, are set to welcome vastly-experienced Lee Martin back into the fold.

One-time Manchester United midfielder Martin, 37, has had a stop-start time since he rejoined from Ashford, having been sent off in last month’s Velocity Cup shootout loss to Sevenoaks and having a ban to serve.

But speaking after their weekend 3-1 FA Trophy third qualifying round home defeat to Cray Valley, Smith said: “He travelled with us to Brackley and did some running before the game.

“He runs every day and still acts like he’s a professional so I don’t worry about his fitness levels.

“It’s been hard for him to get a rhythm with the team - that’s the one thing that I would say.

“Obviously, he’s been in for one game, cannot play for two, and then he’s allowed to play. It’s been a tough one for him, really, in that sense.

“But he’s an experienced player. I’ve just said to him ‘You’ll find a way to get on with it’ and the [other] players are pleased to have him back.

“There’s certain aspects of our game on Saturday where you can see that we do miss him.”

The absence of Martin and key midfielder TJ Jadama (illness) was felt against Cray Valley - as was the quality of Benedict Bioletti and Alfie Paxman - with captain Joe Taylor’s 14th goal this campaign proving in vain.

Smith shuffled his pack in wide areas, starting TT Walters and Josh Ajayi, as he gave Bioletti and Paxman rests before they were introduced in the second period.

“Benny was our best player at Brackley [in the FA Cup],” said Smith. “He came here on Saturday and I’m sure he expected to start - but he’s not started. It’s a bizarre one.

“But also, I’ve got TT Walters and Josh Ajayi, who I have got so much faith in.

“They’re top players and players that maybe haven’t fulfilled their potential.

“We’re trying to find out why and what we can do to get them back to the level that they have been at before.

“There were glimpses of it from Josh on Saturday but I think the team has to play better to give our forward players more sustained periods up the pitch.

“I said at half-time that I wouldn’t have wanted to be a winger in our team because I don’t think we supplied them particularly well. But sometimes, you have got to give credit.

“Cray Valley were happy for us to have possession and do what we do and the moments of weakness that we showed - the bad errors - were punished.”

Forward Vance Bola has left Ramsgate after making six appearances and scoring one goal this season as he moves to rivals Hythe Town.