Jack Midson reckons Sheppey owe Burgess Hill one this Saturday.

The Ites are on a seven-match Isthmian South East unbeaten run and sit just outside the play-off places in seventh.

They’ve only suffered eight league losses this term - five at Holm Park - and one of those was November’s 4-2 defeat to the Hillians.

Sheppey player-manager Midson said: “They did all right against us last time.

“We sort of owe them a performance, really, to show we’re better than when we played them.

"It’ll be tough, but we fancy ourselves away from home.

“We’ll fully prepare this week ready to play that game and, hopefully, we don’t concede silly goals early on and can get the win.”

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Midfielder Josh Wisson’s header and a penalty - won by Midson - converted by skipper Richie Hamill saw Sheppey recover from 2-0 down inside five minutes at home to Faversham last weekend to claim a point.

A goalless second half followed, although with talisman Warren Mfula still absent and Jake Embery suspended, young striker Jack Marsh almost capped his senior bow in style. He came off the bench and headed a Hamill free-kick over the bar.

“He deserved his chance and did well in training on Thursday,” said Midson.

“He came to that side with me [before the free-kick was taken] and I said ‘Go to the other side because I’ll head it back across’ - and it nearly worked out perfectly.

“Realistically, he probably could have had a touch but he’s going to be anxious. He was unlucky.

"But he’ll be a good player, coming off the bench for us for the rest of the season.”

The Ites will still be without six-goal striker Embery at Burgess Hill and then for next Wednesday’s trip to Chatham as he completes a three-game ban after his red card at Corinthian.

While Sheppey are a little light up front, there still seems to be plenty of competition for places elsewhere. Player-assistant Jono Richardson and fellow defender Dan Birch missed out altogether against Faversham.

Striker Midson, 39, said: “It probably does Jake a favour that there’s a midweek game after Saturday so he’s back quicker than he would have been.

“I feel I need to mention the players that didn’t come on and the players not in the squad.

“Obviously there’s Frosty [Luke Frost], Ted McIntyre and young Alex Giles, who’s on loan from Gillingham, and young Bailey Catherick.

“I even had to leave people out of the squad, like Birchy. Birchy’s very disappointed. That’s probably the hardest decision I had to make in the week.

“He’s disappointed but, with Jake being sent off, I’ve even taken Jono out of the squad so we’ve got cover in terms of attacking players.

“Touch wood I don’t, but if I was to get injured, we’d have no recognised strikers.

“So I went with two young strikers. They’re tough decisions.

"But when they do come back in, hopefully, they’re chomping at the bit.

“Also, people do get used to playing every week and you need to give them a little shake-up now and again when you can.

“We’re not sure how long we’ll have Sam Gale and Alex for, so we need to use them when we can.”