It was a game of two halves in the contest between Hollands and Blair and Sheppey United on Wednesday night, with the away team grabbing the victory.

The hosts pretty much dominated the opening half and trouble was on Sheppey very early when keeper Adam Highsted picked-up a back pass from Tom Brunt but the subsequent free kick was saved by the keeper.

Highsted’s woes continued not long after when Blair keeper Ronan Forde punted a long kick into the Sheppey end and flew over the tumbling Highsted and into the net for 1-0.

A penalty shout for Blair was turned away by referee Chris Price not long afterwards as Sheppey struggled to get any grip on the game.

When Sheppey did start venturing forward a chance fell for striker Dan Bradshaw who hit a tame shot at Forde after running between two defenders.

Sheppey midfielder George Batten was booked minutes later after Blair defended a Sheppey free kick and looked to break away – all that before Sheppey almost grabbed an equaliser when Jack Mahoney drove a powerful shot from 25 yards at goal only for keeper Forde to tip away.

The final chance of the half fell to Jack Simon whose header grazed the Sheppey post.

 

Half time Hollands & Blair 1 Sheppey United 0

 

Despite Hollands & Blair going close after the restart through James McDonald and James O’Halloran, Sheppey started to gain control of the game.

Right back Tom Brunt got forward and his succeeding cross was fumbled by keeper Forde who managed to reclaim the ball before Dan Bradshaw almost nipped in to score.

The turning point came when Sheppey manager Ernie Batten made a double substitution, Jack Mahoney and George Batten replaced for Ian Batten and Jon Ralph. With Ralph moving to defence it enabled Luke Girt to slot into his regular midfield position.

The Sheppey equaliser came via Trey Williams who neatly finished beyond the out rushing Forde on 68 minutes after Ralph and Brunt assisted in the build-up play.

Sheppey now looked the team more likely to go on and win the game Luke Harvey and Timmy Babbington both had unsuccessful long range attempts at goal.

A great move involving Rob Saunders gaining possession who in turn found Girt led to the ball finding Dan Bradshaw who drew Forde off his line but shot wide off the mark.

Great play did however lead to Sheppey grabbing their second goal on 85 minutes – Luke Harvey clearing the Sheppey lines, playing a one-two with Girt before releasing Babbington who shot with his left foot beyond Forde.

Sheppey were not done for the night, Trey Williams saw a shot pushed round post and the following corner by Darren Cooper was nodded home by the unmarked Williams for a 3-1 victory.