Sheppey United joint-boss Ian Batten welcomes run of home fixtures after six games on the road as attention switches from FA Cup exploits to Isthmian South East action

Sheppey United will play their first home game in more than a month this Saturday.

The Ites have enjoyed great success in the FA Cup, their 1-0 win at Snodland last weekend booked a place in the third qualifying round.

But four successive FA Cup away ties along with two matches on the road in the FA Trophy mean their last clash at Holm Park was on August 25.

Sheppey have eight matches at home before the end of October - including six in Isthmian South East - and they start off at home to Peacehaven & Telscombe this weekend.

“I don’t know if we want to play at home as we’ve done so well away,” joked joint-boss Ian Batten.

“But, seriously, it’s going to be nice to be back at home with the supporters. I think we probably had over 150 at Snodland last weekend but it will be nice to be back at home and trying to kick on in the league.

“You’ve got to try and win your home games. We’ve had over 500 for the first two home league games which really helps us.

“As I say, we want to really kick on in the league now. We’ve got quite a few home games coming up, obviously, because we haven’t played any.”

It’s been a tough fixture schedule with ties in the FA Trophy wrapped around FA Cup weekends.

Sheppey, like many sides around them, are yet to build up momentum in the league programme. They’ve already played 13 matches this season - but just five have been in Isthmian South East.

“It’s just unbelievable,” added Batten. “It’s so brutal for the boys and then we have them training every Thursday as well.

“Last week we went bowling and had a meal on the Thursday, just to give them a break.

“They work so hard, but they’ve got their reward in the FA Cup and we just have to keep on rolling and dreaming.”

Batten wants to match his late