Match Report: Redhill 1 Sheppey United 2
Sheppey United safely advanced in the FA Cup following a hard-fought 2–1 victory away at Redhill, capitalising on a dominant first-half display before weathering a late surge from the hosts.
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
The Ites traveled to Redhill dealing with a mixture of squad updates and injury setbacks.
Harley Earle, Harlain Mbayo, and Mo Dabo remained sidelined through injury, while Jobie Farr continued between the sticks. Harry Lawrence was serving a one match suspension.
Squad changes were also a talking point ahead of kickoff, as Josh Chambers departed following a 7-day approach from a Step 3 club. However, Sheppey bolstered their bench with the inclusion of striker Joseph Chidyausiku—carrying Conference-level experience—alongside U23s prospects Ryan Santry and midfielder Tommy Spain. Josh Wisson and Ethan Cole were both passed fit after recovering from minor knocks.
Sheppey began the contest brightly, though Redhill carved out early warning signs through long throws and set-pieces, including a header that sailed over the bar in the 9th minute.
The visitors soon seized momentum. In the 11th minute, D'Jean Spencer fed the ball inside to Dylan Adjei-Hersey, who drew a foul. From the resulting free-kick, Josh Wisson unleashed a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar after the keeper got a tip on it.
After spells of pressure from Danny Leonard and Alfie Evans, the breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark - Alfie Evans broke the deadlock, firing brilliantly from 25 yards out following neat build-up play and an assist from D'Jean Spencer.
Redhill responded by hitting the crossbar moments later, keeping the contest finely balanced. However, Sheppey struck a crucial blow just before the interval - Ben Clark doubled the advantage with a crisp left-footed finish, reacting sharply to turn home the rebound after his initial attempt was saved.
Jobie Farr commanded his area well to punch away late Redhill crosses, sending Sheppey into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
Redhill emerged with renewed attacking intent after the restart, forcing a series of corners and appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty following a suspected handball by Josh Wisson inside the box in the 51st minute.
Sheppey continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Leonard cut a dangerous low cross for Clark just past the hour mark, before linking up with Dan Salako, whose shot was well-blocked.
With legs tiring, Sheppey turned to his bench:
65': Ethan Cole replaced Mamadou Diallo, who departed with a tight hamstring.
79': Striker Joseph Chidyausiku entered the fray in place of opening goalscorer Alfie Evans.
87': Kaelem Sobhee-Turner and 16-year-old Tommy Spain—handing the youngster his competitive debut—came on for Spencer and Clark, the latter forced off with an impact injury.
Redhill set up a nervy finish in the 89th minute when Farr initially pulled off a fantastic save from a free-kick, only for the hosts to thump home the rebound to make it 1–2.
Despite a late yellow card shown to head coach Steve Aldridge in the 90th minute, Sheppey expertly managed the remaining stoppage time to secure the victory and seal their place in the next round of the FA Cup.
𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗽𝘀
Sheppey United XI: Farr, Adjei-Hersey, Kabamba, Diallo (Cole) Wisson, Evans (Chidyausiku) Clark (Spain), Andrews, Leonard, Spencer (Sophee-Turner), Salako
Unused Subs: Conyers (GK), Hedges, Santry
Goals: Evans, Clark
Bookings: Salako, Aldridge (bench booking)
Sent-off: 0
Report: Lee Allen
Photo: Marc Richards