Sheppey United start their Isthmian League campaign at home to Chichester City under new player-boss Jack Midson after FA Cup drama against Athletic Newham

Sheppey United player-manager Jack Midson is realistic about their aims for the new campaign.

Midson was only recently promoted to the manager’s position after quadruple-winning boss Ernie Batten took on a director of football role. His side play their first game in Isthmian South East on Saturday at home to Chichester City.

On Tuesday night Midson's team drew 3-3 with Athletic Newham in the FA Cup thanks to a last minute equaliser from Warren Mfula.

The Ites claimed four trophies last season, including the Southern Counties East Premier Division title, but Midson believes the challenge ahead will be a lot harder.

Midson said: “We did struggle at times against some of the top teams last season, against Chatham and Glebe, and we have to realise that every game is going to be like that.

“We will tinker a few bits, it’s about trying not to give away silly chances. We do overplay out from the back sometimes and as I said to the lads, we want to play it out but if you are going to get caught constantly we will have to stretch teams a bit.

“If we concede this season it will be tougher to get one back, whereas before we were confident we could win 3-1 or 4-1 if we conceded.

“We have our own aims, we know we are capable of getting towards the play-offs, that should be within our grasp. But it’s our first season in this league and looking at the teams in it, if we finish mid-table it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

“The club has to be realistic about where it has come from. You have to go into the season aiming for it (the play-offs), you don’t want to be aiming for mid-table. If we keep to our standards and fall short it is not the end of the world, but you have to aim for a certain level or we are not being true to ourselves