We want a big effort to climb the league in an attempt to exceed last season's sixth-place, says Sheppey United joint-assistant Geoff Record

SHEPPEY UNITED joint-assistant-manager Geoff Record says he wants the club to finish in the top-five this season.

The Ites went down to a 2-1 home defeat to league leaders Sevenoaks Town last weekend and Record said: “As a management team we always reflect and debate on our last game, both the result and player performances.

“Against Sevenoaks Town last week the game was a great advert for our league as it was end-to-end in the first half and overall a game full of incident.

“We got on top for 20 minutes and had two chances that went begging before we had a missed penalty that Rob Saunders followed up to score.

“Sevenoaks then got on top of us and had a couple of chances themselves 10 minutes before half time.

“In the second half Sevenoaks really pressured us with crosses and passes into our box. They reduced us to breaking out as they showed why they are top and favourites for our league.

“We took the pressure well, but make no mistake the game changed when Rob Saunders was sent off for a second booking. The referee was under extreme pressure after a reaction from the Sevenoaks bench and his decision was misjudged as he sent Rob off.

“The second turning point was a substitution by Micky Collins bringing on Kenny Pogue, the big man had a chance straight away then got away from us in the box to turn the game with two finishes and the game was lost in the last six mins for us.

“We deserved something from the game and overall went toe to toe with Sevenoaks who in my opinion are the best all round side and can play good football, as do we.”

Sheppey United are in 12^th-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 32 points from 22 games, 15 points adrift of Sevenoaks.

Ernie Batten takes his side to Deal tomorrow to contest a Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Semi-Final against Canterbury City.

Ben Smith’s men are a couple of places higher and have collected three more points than Sheppey United.

“Canterbury have improved of late and have some good very experienced players that are proven in the league above. Some of them both myself and Ernie know, such as Darren Marsden and Lawrence Harvey who is an outstanding centre half,” said Record.

“This will be a good test for our mainly young team that are improving after some inconsistency during mid-season. All our players will be looking forward to the game and it’s another chance for them to show what they are made of and try to get us into yet another cup final.”

Sheppey United are eight points adrift of fifth-placed side Croydon.

Record said: “As for the clubs aspirations for the remaining part of this season, we will continue to develop our young players in the squad which range from 17 to 21/22 years old and look to our experienced players to bring stability and consistency to not only performance but also results in a big effort to climb the league in an attempt to exceed last season’s league position of sixth.

“We will continue to pass the ball into feet and play an attacking style of football in an effort to entertain our supporters who continue to back us through thick and thin and in all weathers home and away. 

“This is only the clubs second season back at this level after its sad demise many years ago. We have slowly built this club into gaining promotion and into two cup finals, one of which we won in an attempt to get it back to the level it was at when myself and Ernie were players in the old Southern League days.

“But as all football people know this takes a lot of hard work and we all know about the ups and downs that football can bring.

“Lastly, I would like to say that during the last three seasons as a former player, manager, assistant manager, and coach it has always been my pleasure to help this club return to its former level, and we all continue to work hard both on the field of play and off it.”

Visit Sheppey United’s website: www.sheppeyunitedfc.co.uk

Canterbury City  v  Sheppey United
Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Semi-Final
Saturday 10 February 2018
Kick off 3:00pm
At The Charles Sports Ground, St Leonards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9AU