There is a return to league action for Sheppey United this Saturday - after a wait of nearly two months!

Ernie Batten’s Ites welcome Horndean to Holm Park for an Isthmian South East match, days after they booked their place in the First Round of the FA Cup for the very first time with a penalty shoot-out success over Isthmian Premier Billericay after a 1-1 draw.

Incredibly, it will be only Sheppey’s fourth league fixture this term after a run of 10 consecutive cup clashes. They last played in the league on August 28, drawing 2-2 away to rivals Sittingbourne.

Boss Batten, whose side are also due to host Lancing on Tuesday, said: “I’ve lost count of how many cup games we have had in a row now and another one will be called off on November 4.

“We have to turn our attention to it. We want a good league programme - and it doesn’t feel like we have even started yet!

“But we want to have a programme in the league. We have got to settle down now and get our feet on the ground.

“We’ll go into Saturday and try to win that football match.”

Report: Sheppey 1-1 Billericay (Sheppey win 5-4 on penalties)

Boss Batten’s best yet

Spot-on Prall helps Ites make FA Cup history

Striker Dan Bradshaw came off in the first half against Billericay as he manages a hamstring problem.

The squad were due to train last night ahead of a run of three league games in seven days which ends at Merstham.

Teenager Oladipo Durowoju replaced Bradshaw in midweek while Alex Willis and Oscar Housego are among other attacking options at Sheppey’s disposal.