We are looking to create history for the club and memories for our fans, says excited Sheppey United head coach Marcel Nimani

SHEPPEY UNITED head coach Marcel Nimani says his side have prepared well for their FA Cup tie against Sutton Athletic on Tuesday night.

Ernie Batten’s side were fully involved in an exciting six-horse title race in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division last season but all hopes were dashed due to the coronavirus health pandemic in March.

The Ites were in fourth-place at the time of the abandonment of the campaign and have strengthened their squad during the long close season to battle it out for the title this season.

“Judging on player recruitment and pre-season results, we are predicting a very tough and exciting season ahead,” said Nimani, who is head of Physical Education at a school in Maidstone.

“There have been some exciting additions to our League and it is a real credit to the development of the Southern Counties East Football League, which could be argued as being one of the most competitive Step Five League’s in the country.

“This has sparked a real excitement around our camp and collectively as a squad, we are looking to create history for the club and memories for our fans.”

Hextable based Sutton Athletic – eleventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division – arrive at Holm Park on Tuesday night looking to cause a cup upset on opening night.

“We have concluded a very productive pre-season in which we have committed three times a week for training and pre-season friendlies,” added Nimani.

“I am very pleased with the fact that players and staff have all returned to us healthy and in good spirit.

“Due to this we have been able to train well and prepare and we have managed to put in some great performances away to Margate, Sittingbourne and Ramsgate.

“I think it is a great way to start the season at home, an evening kick-off in front of our fans with a FA Cup tie.

“I’m also aware that ticket sales for this tie have nearly reached full capacity and we are all prepared and ready to go.

“We are expecting a tough encounter from Sutton Athletic, a team which we as a management team went to watch on Saturday against Bearsted.

“They came across as a side who like to keep the ball and they had a very impressive central midfield duo, who passed and kept possession very well.  We have therefore, planned and prepared accordingly.

“We retained the nucleus of last years squads which I feel that is a great achievement.  We have also managed to strengthen further with the additions of Jack Midson, Warren Mfula, Junior Aikhionbare, Matt Bourne, Corey Holder, Alfie Bates, Adam Molloy and Tommy Taylor and I can confirm that we have nearly a full-squad available for this tie.”

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

Sheppey United  v  Sutton Athletic
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Tuesday 1 September 2020
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Holm Park, Queenborough Road, Halfway, Sheerness, Kent ME12 3DB