Following a narrow 1-0 win against Tooting & Mitcham United, Ben Smith’s Bay backed that up with a win against Combined Counties League Premier Division North, with goals from Kymani Thomas, Zak Ansah, and Aaron Millbank securing a 3-2 win.

The visitors took the lead early in the first half through Thomas, who finished well from the centre of the home penalty area.

Rangers levelled the score after the break, with their forward turning the ball home into an empty net after intercepting Jordan Perrin’s pass.

The hosts then took the lead just under 10 minutes later with another close-range finish which left the Bay trailing for the first time this pre-season.

However, Ansah brought Herne Bay back into the game, clipping the ball past the home ‘keeper before Aaron Millbank thumped the ball home with 20 minutes left on the clock to put the visitors ahead once again.

Abbey Rangers had one or two late chances to tie the game up, but the Bay defence held firm to make it two wins from two.

The Opposition

Sheppey United FC was formed in 1890 by a merger of Sheerness Victoria and Invicta, and initially played at the Sheppey United Cricket Club ground at Botany Road. The first match was at Sittingbourne on 20 September 1890.

In Sheppey's early years, they were able to organise themselves well enough that they became one of the top sides in South England. In January 1892 the club drew 3–3 away at Football League club Bolton Wanderers and in the next season won 4–0 away at the region's only professional club, Arsenal, at their Manor Road ground in Plumpstead with star forward Art Rule scoring 2 of the goals.

However, difficult times were to follow when they sold their Botany Round ground to developers in 1992 to clear a massive overdraft. Initially this did not appear to present too many issues. However, as the club spent most of the 1990s trying in vain to find a new home on the Island, years of playing away from Sheppey began to take its toll, as the club saw attendances plummet as they moved all around the county.

In March 2001 the club resigned from the Kent League and their record was expunged. The senior team was disbanded until being reformed in 2003 when they joined Division Two East of the Kent County League.

In June 2013, the club merged with Sheerness East FC to become Sheppey & Sheerness United FC, competing in the Kent County League Premier Division with the club playing their home games a Holm Park, the former ground of Canning Town Gasworks and then Sheerness Steel Sports Ground. They were renamed ‘Sheppey United’ a year later. Since then, things have looked on the up.

Currently, our hosts on Saturday are coming off the back of an impressive league campaign which saw them crowned Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division champions. From the 38 games they played, they only lost twice while winning 33 and drawing three, achieving a goal difference of +79 (scoring 104 and conceding 25).

Key Players

Warren Mfula (Forward) – The main goal scorer for Sheppey United, Warren scored a whopping 35 goals from just 30 appearances, one of which came from the bench. He counts AFC Croydon Athletic, Dartford, Cray Valley PM, Corinthian Casuals, Hastings United among his former clubs.

Danny Leonard (Midfielder) – A new addition to this Sheppey side but an impressive one none the less. Danny, who enjoyed a previous spell at Holm Park and counts Herne Bay as a former side, joined Saturday’s hosts from National League South side Dartford and is no doubt seen as something of a marquee signing.

Daniel Birch (Defender) – Another former Herne Bay player, who has also featured for Charlton Athletic, is a rock at the back for this Sheppey United side, making a total of 50 appearances for the club last season, coming off the bench only once. Sheppey’s ambitions this season will no doubt rely on Daniel continuing his form from last season when he featured in a defence that only lost twice in the league.

Last time we met

The last time we faced Sheppey United was back on 26th July 2016 when goals from Danny Williams, Connor Sanders, and Sam Hallett earned Herne Bay a 3-2 win.

Sam Hasler and Danny Williams were a nuisance for the Sheppey defence, and it was no surprise that the Bay soon took the lead when a long throw in from Conor Sanders found Williams, who’s header proved unstoppable.

On 35 minutes, Sheppey restored parity when a low hard cross from Adaje was met at the near post by Thompson who flicked the ball home.
In the 55 minute, Sanders prodded the ball home after some good work from Hallett, before Sam then got in on the action himself with just 15 minutes left to play, thumping the ball in from 25 yards out on his debut.

Sheppey continued to press and were rewarded in the last minute of the game when Dappo cut in from the right and fired across Toby Wood to reduce the arrears. It all proved to be too little too late as the hosts secured the friendly win.

Ticket News

Ticket prices for Saturday’s game are as follows (CASH ONLY)

Adults: £5
Seniors: £3
U16s: £1