Sheppey have teamed up with Premier League Crystal Palace in a move that should prove mutually beneficial.

The Ites have signed four of the club’s academy players for the remainder of the season, giving them a taste of first-team football.

And one of them, Ricardo Andre, hit a last-minute winner on Saturday in a dramatic 5-4 win over Kent Invicta League win over Glebe.

Sheppey boss Kevin Hake has previously snubbed advances from lower-ranked teams to go into partnership with.

He said: “The pitch had to come from the right level and with enough distance between the sides, both geographically and in the football tiers. The four that have come in have helped to bolster a squad which has been left short due to suspensions and injuries.

“The deal had to be right for them and for us. It helps to give us an injection of youth, pace and fitness.”

Andre’s winner came with Sheppey down to nine men and playing the last half an hour without a recognised goalkeeper, while two other new faces were included at the weekend, with Tom Stamp arriving from Staplehurst and Cedric Abraham from Fisher.

Sheppey visit Crockenhill on Saturday.