Match Report: Sheppey United 1–1 Herne Bay
(Sheppey United win 9–8 on penalties)
Competition: Velocity Cup
Harry Lawrence who was Captain for the match
With a massive FA Cup tie looming on Saturday and a gruelling schedule of twice-weekly fixtures over the next two months, Sheppey United managers Ian & George Batten rotated their squad significantly for this Velocity Cup clash against Kent rivals Herne Bay.
While several key players were rested, the heavily altered lineup offered a prime stage for the club's emerging young talent. Harlain Mbayo missed out due to illness, while Dylan Adjei-Hersey’s recovery from a hamstring strain continued to be carefully managed. Mikey Salako, Cam Andrews, and several others were rested to recover from recent knocks ahead of the weekend. Weekend absentees D'Jean Spencer, Mams Diallo, and Alfie Evans remained sidelined, though Spencer remains an outside chance for this coming Saturday.
In contrast, forward Shaq Gordon was cleared to feature, with his three-match suspension for a red card against Peacehaven & Telscombe set to begin on Saturday against Chertsey Town. Forward Joseph Chidyausiku served his one-game ban on the night.
Youth and local roots dominated the matchday squad, which boasted a remarkably young average age of just 21.5 years—with no player over 30 (Joe Ganiwa being the senior figure at 29). Local Sheppey players Ryan Freeman (24), Joe Skinner (26), Freddie Godden (16), and Tommy Spain (16) were all named in the 16-man squad. Promising Under-23 talents Ryan Santry (16), Stevie Hedges (16), and Jack O’Neill (22) also featured, with U23s goalkeeper Ewan Anderson (17) joining the pre-match warm-ups.
Alfie Hilden (19) and Jack Palmby—both cup-tied for Saturday’s FA Cup tie—started in central midfield alongside local lad Freeman. Harry Lawrence was called in at the last minute following Mbayo’s illness; donning the captain’s armband, Lawrence brought crucial leadership to the backline alongside 18-year-old Ethan Cole in central defence.
Sheppey United started with real intent, threatening as early as the 6th minute when Kaelem Sobhee-Turner forced a save from Herne Bay keeper Tom Wray. Although the resulting corner was dealt with, the Ites did not have to wait long to break the deadlock.
Just a minute later in the 7th minute, Sobhee-Turner was involved again, breaking down the flank and floating a precise cross into the box for Jack O’Neill, who calmly slotted home to make it 1–0 to the hosts.
Sheppey continued to press. In the 11th minute, neat link-up play between Simon Kabamba and O’Neill resulted in another dangerous delivery, though Wray was alert to claim it. Herne Bay struggled to break down Sheppey's youthful backline, with Ryan Freeman seeing a deflected effort gathered by Wray in the 17th minute.
As the half wore on, Sobhee-Turner proved to be a constant thorn in Herne Bay's side. In the 35th minute, he beat his fullback with ease before forcing a brilliant save from Wray to push the ball wide. From the resulting corner, Shaq Gordon saw a low drive saved once again by the Bay goalkeeper.
At the other end, Jack Palmby nearly produced a moment of magic in the 40th minute, attempting an ambitious 50-yard lob that almost caught Wray off his line. Herne Bay managed to defend a pair of late corners, and despite Shaq Gordon picking up a yellow card in the 43rd minute, Sheppey took a deserved 1–0 lead into the interval.
Herne Bay came out with renewed energy after the restart, but Sheppey keeper Harley Earle reacted quickly in the 48th minute to smother a dangerous attack.
On the hour mark, Sheppey made their first change, replacing Shaq Gordon with Joe Skinner (60'). Skinner made an immediate impact, winning possession in the 63rd minute to set up O’Neill, whose strike was once again turned away by Wray.
Herne Bay mounted pressure around the mid-point of the half, earning a corner in the 65th minute that resulted in a deflected shot and a second set-piece, which Earle eventually claimed cleanly. Shortly after, in the 66th minute, dynamic link-up play between Ganiwa and Skinner ended with Hilden unleashing a first-time volley that was tipped over the crossbar by a busy Wray. Skinner hit a weak connection on the subsequent cross, keeping the lead at one.
Sheppey’s defensive resolve was pushed to the absolute limit in the 72nd minute when Herne Bay breached the line, only for stand-in skipper Harry Lawrence to produce a crucial, goal-saving clearance off the line to preserve the lead.
With ten minutes remaining, Sheppey handed senior debuts to two more youngsters: 16-year-old Freddie "Chip" Godden replaced Ryan Freeman in the 80th minute, and 16-year-old Ryan Santry came on for goalscorer Jack O’Neill in the 90th minute.
Just as a victory in normal time seemed secured, Herne Bay struck in dramatic fashion. In the 93rd minute, a late surge from the visitors ended with Codey Cosgrove bundling the ball home to level the score at 1–1, sending the tie directly to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout: Cool Heads & Local Heroes
With tension high at total deadlock, both teams put on an extraordinary display of composure from the penalty spot.
Round 1: Herne Bay scored; Ethan Cole scored for Sheppey (1–1)
Round 2: Herne Bay scored; Captain Harry Lawrence scored (2–2)
Round 3: Herne Bay scored; Alfie Hilden scored (3–3)
Round 4: Herne Bay scored; Jack Palmby scored (4–4)
Round 5: Herne Bay scored; Kaelem Sobhee-Turner scored (5–5)
Round 6: Herne Bay scored; 16-year-old debutant Ryan Santry scored (6–6)
Round 7: Herne Bay scored off the underside of the bar; 16-year-old debutant Freddie Godden scored (7–7)
Round 8: Herne Bay scored; Simon Kabamba scored (8–8)
Round 9: Herne Bay goalkeeper Tom Wray stepped up and missed; local player Joe Skinner stepped up and coolly converted to seal a 9–8 shootout victory for Sheppey United!
Despite the late heartache of a 93rd-minute equaliser, Sheppey United showed remarkable character and composure to triumph in sudden-death penalties. With a vastly changed squad featuring multiple teenage debutants and an average age of just 21.5, the Ites showed great depth and grit to advance to the next round of the Velocity Cup while preserving key figures for Saturday's FA Cup showdown.
Lineups & Match Details
Sheppey United XI: Earle, Ganiwa, Kabamba, Lawrence, Wisson, Cole, Hilden, Palmby, Freeman (Godden), Sophee-Turner, O’Neill (Santry), Gordon (Skinner)
Unused Subs: Hedges, Spain
Goals: O’Neill
Bookings: Gordon
Sent-off: 0
Report: Lee Allen
Photo: Oliver Belcher