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Sheppey United manager Ernie Batten features in our latest edition of Beat the Pundit

It's time to get your predictions in for our latest installment of Beat the Pundit.

Ernie Batten, manager of Southern Counties East Premier Division Sheppey United is in the hotseat this week. He's up against Luke Cawdell from the KM sports desk, while Maidstone supporter Ben Austen, a commentator on Stones live, represents the fans.

It's three points for a correct scoreline and one point for the right outcome (win, lose or draw).

Sheppey boss Ernie Batten. Picture: John Westhrop
Sheppey boss Ernie Batten. Picture: John Westhrop

The fans are still ahead in the table after everyone picked up two points.

Kent fans: 30 points
KOL sports desk: 21 points
Kent football managers: 18 points

This week's predictions are below, don't forget to join in using the comments section below with your own guesses.

Gillingham v Northampton (League 1)

Luke Cawdell: The fixture isn’t what it could have been as both Ady Pennock and Justin Edinburgh lost their jobs early this season. Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink started well as Town’s new boss but I think reality has now sunk in. Two teams desperate to get out of trouble, I think Gills will edge it. 1-0

Ernie Batten: I think this one could be a home win for the Gills. There can be a bit of a resurgence during the change of manager and they did well on Saturday against Peterborough under Steve Lovell - who I worked with at Ashford. 1-0

Ben Austen: Both sides are struggling but Gills have rejuvenated in the last week, so I think they may edge this. 2-1

AFC Fylde v Maidstone (National League)

LC: It’s not been easy for Fylde since their promotion but they’ve not been pushovers either, aside from a 4-1 defeat to Maidenhead. They’ll be a tough nut to crack but I can see Maidstone nicking it late on. 0-1

EB: The home side came up last season, with a decent budget, but it’s not been easy for them this season in the National League. It’s been a great start for Jay Saunders’ team and I’m going for an away win this weekend. 1-2

BA: I fear tiredness will kick in from our FA Cup triumph at Enfield but still believe we will gain a valuable point. 2-2

Dover v Maidenhead (National League)LC: Chris Kinnear has worked his magic at Dover once again, putting together a promotion challenge from scratch. Mid-table Maidenhead shouldn’t cause them too many problems and I see Kinnear’s men taking all three points from this game. 2-0

EB: I can see another win coming for Dover as they continue to challenge at the top of the National League. I used to play with Chris Kinnear many years ago at Maidstone and he’s done a great job with them again this season. 3-1

BA: Dover have been doing well so far and I see them recovering from their FA Cup disappointment on Tuesday. 2-0

Phoenix Sports v Ramsgate (Bostik South)

LC: Phoenix have some talented players, as they showed when they took Gills to a penalty shoot-out in the Kent Senior Cup. With quality like 16-year-old Ben Allen coming through, the club are continuing to head in the right direction. I’m backing them to win this. 3-1

EB: This one is a bit of a mid-table battle and it’s hard to choose between the two teams. Ramsgate let in five recent in the FA Trophy but I think they’ll get a point this weekend against a Phoenix team who have adapted well since moving up to the next level. 1-1

BA: Ramsgate have suddenly picked up under Lloyd Blackman and I see that continuing at an out of form Phoenix Sports. 1-2

Can you do any better? If you want to take part in next week's Beat the Pundit, email medwaysport@thekmgroup.co.uk to register your interest.

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