Match Report: Horley Town 0 – 4 Sheppey United

Sheppey United got their league campaign off to a flying start with a dominant 4-0 away victory against Horley Town.

D’Jean Spencer scored two goals to take his season tally to 4 in 3 games

Despite being without the injured Mams Diallo and Mo Dabo, the Ites fielded an unchanged starting XI following their midweek win over Kennington. They immediately set the tempo and never looked back.

After an initial spell where Sheppey keeper Harley Earle was called into action—notably racing off his line as a sweeper-keeper in the 13th minute—the visitors broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. High pressing from Ben Clark and Dan Leonard saw the skipper win possession, drive toward goal, and coolly slot home for 0–1.

Immediately from the restart, Sheppey caught Horley sleeping. Mikey Salako set up D’Jean Spencer, who finished cleanly to double the lead (0–2) with his third goal of the season.

Horley attempted to respond, with Adam Allen volleying wide on 28 minutes, but Sheppey continued to threaten. Alfie Evans saw a 25-yard effort tipped over by the home keeper, while Earle made another fine save at the other end to preserve the clean sheet.

In the 42nd minute, Evans won the ball cleanly in midfield and fed Spencer, who raced clear to grab his second of the match and put Sheppey 0–3 up at the break.

The second half was a controlled affair for the Ites. Defensive headers from Evans and Dan Wisson dealt with Horley set-pieces, while Evans was unlucky to hit the wall with a 48th-minute free kick. Spencer nearly completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute, heading over from a precise first-time cross by Danny Lawrence.

Fresh legs helped maintain the tempo as the match drew to a close. Late substitute Simon Kabamba in the 88th minute was on hand to tee up Spencer once more, though the winger couldn't quite find the target for his treble.

The highlight of the afternoon arrived in the final minute. Just moments after entering the pitch alongside Cole in an 89th-minute substitution, 16-year-old Stevie Hedges found himself in the box. Assisted by the influential Evans, Hedges stabbed the ball home at the second attempt in the 90th minute (0–4), sparking massive celebrations to round off a flawless away performance.

16 yeard old Stevie Hedges

Lineups & Match Details

• Sheppey United XI: Earle, Lawrence (Cole 90'), Ajei-Hersey (Kabamba 79’), Wisson, Mbayo, Andrews, Evans, Clark (Chambers 62’), Leonard (Hedges 90'), Spencer, Salako (Gordon 80’)

• Unused Subs: None

• Goals: Leonard (19’), Spencer (21', 43’), Evans (45+1'), Hedges(92')

• Bookings: Clark

Report: Lee Allen

Photo: Ollie Belcher