Reaction from manager Ernie Batten as Sheppey United beat Merthyr Town 4-1 in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round

Sheppey United manager Ernie Batten hailed his side’s incredible weekend performance as they made history with a win in Wales.

They beat Merthyr Town 4-1 on Saturday in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round, making it to the last stage of qualifying in the competition before the first round proper and a potential tie against the likes of Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.

The draw for the next round takes place later on Monday, where they will find out their Fourth Qualifying Round opponents. The club have never been this far before in their history.

Batten’s men were facing a Merthyr side higher up in the football pyramid, a club proud to call themselves ‘South Wales’ premier non-league team’ but they were no match for The Ites once the Isthmian South East outfit got going.

Sheppey’s boss said: “We were very dominant and the second half was an incredible performance, dominated throughout and could have had more goals, I am really happy with the performance.

“You can have FA Cup matches where they hit the bar three times, your keeper’s brilliant on the day and in the 89th minute you break away and score to win 1-0, but this was different.

“They were no mugs, third in the Southern League Premier, which is one above us in the pyramid and who had knocked out Taunton Town (in the previous round) and they are now top of the National League South. For us to then go and knock them out in the manner we did was incredible.

“They were massive and it took you back to a Football League game, supporters were filling the streets as we pulled in and walking up the ground. By half two one of the stands was already full, it was that kind of day and feeling.

“It was at Merthyr Tydfil’s old ground, who were a big non-league club many years ago