Division Two East
Kennington Reserves 0 Sheppey United 5
Saturday, 01 May 2004
United have set up a showdown for the title on the last game of the season against Borden Village this coming Saturday. The islanders sunk Kennington for the 3rd time this season with an emphatic display of goal scoring abilities. Sheppey have two more game to play and being just 2 points behind leaders Borden, the last game is set to be a humdinger. If United win the penultimate game of the season against Staplehurst at home on Wednesday night then the 'ites' will be a point clear with one to play. This means if Sheppey draw with Borden then the title will be on its way to the Island and with a cup final against Staplehurst, it could be a double for Manager Steve Harding in the first season as a senior side once again. Gaffer Harding picked up an award for Manager of the Month just before kick off and said "This award goes to all involved with the Saturday side, A lot of people make this work and the players on the pitch win the games so its not just for me its for everyone right down to the supporters who travel with us each week. My staff are a great bunch to work with which makes my job easier". Still back to the game and 10 minutes in and Sheppey take the lead with a corner from Martin Green, he found Mark Stickings with a free header in the middle, and Stix headed it down and in for United's first and his 13th of the season. The lads took the game to Kennington as so much was at stake. A free kick from Gary Andrews found Dale Bryant in the box his head down to Ben Stevens resulted in Stevens shooting just wide. David Ralph in the Sheppey goal was called in to make a great save from the feet of the Kennington striker before Neil Irving's 15th minute left sided trough ball to Stevens in the middle had the stand in striker bearing down on goal and as the keeper advanced out, Stevens calmly lobbed it over and in for United's Second. Ralph made another good save from a free kick tipping the ball just over the bar as Kennington stepped up the pace before half time. Kennington must have sensed they could get back in the game but after a half time team talk United came out firing. 6 minutes into the second half and Ralph's place kick went to Bryant up front, he went left then turn sharply back inside and squared it to Stevens who chipped the keeper again to grab his second of the match. Sheppey made it four on 66 minutes when a great 50/50 challenge won by Andrews set Bryant on the way and as Dale cut to the by-line he squared it and who was there to net it again? Yes Stevens for his hat trick. United made a substitute with 20 to go and the hero Steven's was replace by Simon Brooker with Gavin Pratt coming on for Gary Wilkins. Within minutes Stix won the ball in the midfield played in Bryant and he crossed it for Brooker's first touch and in for United's 5th. Bryant as well as setting a hat full up also missed a shed load himself putting it down to not upstaging Stevens on his big day. Matt Grant came on late in the game on his return from a long injury battle and had a golden opportunity when Adam Manning played a good one-two with him only for Grant to hook the shot wide of the mark. United will be at home on Wednesday night kick off at 6:30. Admission is free so come along and cheer the island Premier team on.
(Sheppey Utd FC)
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