Sheppey United are away to Cray Valley in the Isthmian South East hoping to bounce back from defeat against Chichester City

Sheppey United might not be fancied by many to get a result on Saturday but they’ve thrived on being the underdog this season.

The Ites travel to title-chasing Cray Valley this weekend, buoyed by the knowledge that they’ve already returned home with some unexpected triumphs this season, particularly during their memorable FA Cup run.

Cray Valley’s own FA Cup run ended at the hands of Charlton at The Valley and they are currently attempting to chase down leaders Ramsgate.

Sheppey are one of numerous clubs vying for a play-off spot behind the leading pair and suffered their first defeat in 10 last weekend when they lost 3-1 at home to Chichester City.

Looking ahead to their weekend challenge, first team coach Geoff Record said: “We are looking forward to that and giving it our best shot against one of the top two teams in the league.

“Not a lot of people will be expecting us to get anything from the game but we have done pretty well when we’ve been the underdogs this season.

“Nobody thought we would get some of the results we did in the FA Cup and we were the underdogs going to Hythe the other day (and drawing 2-2).

“We have faced that a few times and we will be giving it a good go.”

Cray were due to play Lancing at home last night (Tuesday), the team just above the Ites and holding onto the last play-off place. Prior to that game, Cray hadn’t lost in the league from their opening 15 games.

“We know it will be really hard,” Record said. “They are a very good side and it would be fair to say it would be out of Ramsgate and them for the title.”

In their last game, against Chichester, Sheppey were leading 1-0 after just eight minutes with a goal from Connor Wilkins but City turned it around in the second half.

A quickfire