Home   Sheerness   Sport   Article

Sheppey United manager Ernie Batten says it's fitting Southern Counties East Premier Division title battle with Chatham Town has gone to final day of the season

Boss Ernie Batten believes it’s fitting Sheppey’s Southern Counties East Premier Division title battle with Chatham has gone to the final day of the season.

Leaders Sheppey are now only one victory away from earning the league crown having beaten K Sports 5-1 on Monday through Warren Mfula’s brace, alongside efforts by Billy Bennett, Jefferson Aibangbee and substitute Connor Wilkins.

Jefferson Aibangbee celebrates after scoring the second goal for Sheppey United against Hollands & Blair last Saturday. Picture: Marc Richards
Jefferson Aibangbee celebrates after scoring the second goal for Sheppey United against Hollands & Blair last Saturday. Picture: Marc Richards

That came after a 3-0 success over Hollands & Blair last Saturday, Bennett, Mfula and Aibangbee netting.

Basement boys Tower Hamlets are the visitors to Holm Park this Saturday and, should Sheppey get the better of them, it will be their third trophy this campaign - with one more piece of silverware still to play for.

“What an exciting finish to the season,” said Batten, whose team have now scored more than 100 league goals this term.

“They (Chatham) have had an incredible season, and so have we. It’s quite fitting, actually, that it’s gone to the last game.

“If we were to win on Saturday and get it, and I’m expecting Chatham to win as well (at Erith Town), who would have said someone would get 100 points and finish second! Who would say you have got to get 102 to win the league?

“We have won 32 (league) games out of 37 and we’re still not there.

“It shows you the quality of the two sides at the top. They have been the two outstanding sides this season.”

On striker Mfula’s goal-scoring form, Batten added: “It’s incredible from Warren.

"He really has helped push us to have an opportunity to win the title.”

It’s nearly a decade since Sheppey moved in at Holm Park - with a 3G pitch having since been installed - and Batten thinks everyone at the club deserves credit for their recent success.

“We will be hoping for a very, very big crowd,” stated Batten.

Striker Warren Mfula has been in fine form of late. Picture: Marc Richards
Striker Warren Mfula has been in fine form of late. Picture: Marc Richards

“They should come in their numbers because this is for the title. I’m not sure when the last time Sheppey won the league was but it was a long time ago, certainly in current times (it will be the first) since the club has been reformed.

“Five or six seasons ago, we were playing in a park with a string around the pitch.

“Now we have got a great stadium, the commercial department is good, the club is virtually self-funding and self-sustainable, and that’s the model we set out to achieve.

"To do that in a short space of time in football terms and to get to the Isthmian League is incredible.

“It’s testament to everybody at the club from the chairmen right through to the volunteers to the people who run our social media. That’s a big thing in football now to create interest in the club.

"It’s just been a wonderful season, but I won’t relax until we have got that trophy in the cabinet.”

Sheppey won 5-0 at Tower Hamlets in February, who are already relegated. They have collected only 12 points all season and were hammered 7-0 by Fisher on Monday.

But Batten commented: “We’ll have an outstanding chance of getting the points. But I’ve been in football long enough to not take anything for granted.

“We will prepare as if we are playing anybody else.”

Sheppey’s game at K Sports also saw Batten come up against sons George and Ian, who are K Sports’ joint-managers.

“It’s very funny. I’m not too sure how many times it’s happened in the past! I don’t really remember it,” admitted Batten senior.

“We just had to get on with it. The boys, they were trying to win a football match. We were trying to win one.

“They’re just starting out in their careers and I’m sure they’ll be happy with the effort their boys put in.

“For me, I’ve been around a little bit longer so it’s nice to now be in the position to go and win the league on Saturday.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More