Sheppey United won themselves 3 festive points at home against APM Contrast but had to do it after falling behind.

With a luxury of forward options available, manager Ernie Batten elected to start with Andrew Thompson and David Abe in attack supported by wingers James Simmonds and Tim Babbington. Fellow forwards Adam Williams and Andrew Constable had to be content with a place on the subs bench.

A crowd of 230 included fans sporting red and white colours in support of Chairman Matthew J. Smith’s offer of free entry for wearing Sheppey colours.

Sheppey had the earliest opportunity of the game in the opening minutes when Rob Saunders went up to challenge a corner in the air with keeper Ryan Chandler but the loose ball fell to the feet of Jon Ralph who ballooned his shot over the bar.

Jon Ralph was soon in the action at the other end of the pitch, throwing in a last ditch tackle to prevent APM Contrast breaking clear on Dean Warford’s Sheppey goal. Winger James Simmonds was Sheppey’s brightest outlet for most of the game down the right-hand side and it was a promising link-up between him and David Abe that almost led to a Sheppey chance before an offside was spotted.

APM looked dangerous on the attack, and should have taken the lead when winger Josh West cut the ball back to Caine Smith who sliced wide of the post. APM’s other winger, Robbie Dengate also had an opportunity to break the scoreline but his free kick sailed over Warford’s goal with the keeper untroubled.

James Simmonds continued to try and create opportunities down the Sheppey right and his hard hit cross was gathered well by keeper Ryan Chandler with Andrew Thompson lurking behind ready for a simple tap-in.

The last chance of the first half fell to APM’s Robert Norman who hit a shot with the outside of his boot which Dean Warford followed to palm away to keep the score at nil-nil for half time.

Similar to the end of the first half, Warford had to be alert to deny Robert Norman early in the second half and it was probably no surprise when APM took the lead. A run at the Sheppey defence by Caine Smith enabled him to cut inside and lay the ball off to Edward Morant to find the back of the net.

With the home side now behind, Sheppey started to create more opportunities. Ryan Chandler pulled out a brilliant double save to deny Tim Babbington when it looked certain Babbington would score.

Sheppey’s pressing finally paid-off thanks to a brilliant long range shot by James Simmonds, the shot from around 25 yards hit the woodwork and then bounced in behind the line to the delight of the Sheppey faithful.

Time was ticking on, it was probably fair to say that most people watching the game at Holm Park had settled for a draw – until Tim Babbington scored from a last minute free-kick to grab all three points for Sheppey as they continued their unbeaten run and claim 4th position in the Kent Invicta Football League.