Billy making a big impact on his return

Midfielder Billy Bennett’s proving that sometimes it’s good to go back. Bennett captained Sheppey United during their historic quadruple-winning season and recently returned to the club, appearing in their last four games. The Ites have won their last three matches and Bennett’s played a key role in the upturn in form - hitting the winner on Saturday as they beat AFC Croydon Athletic 1-0.

Sheppey should have won the Isthmian South East contest by more, but manager Geoff Record was delighted to see Bennett get his first goal since returning to Holm Park. Record said: “Some people might have thought ‘Why are we signing Bill?’ I think he has more than proved his worth. “He’s worth his weight in gold, and in terms of his contribution in the last two games, he has been absolutely outstanding.



“He’s been everywhere, done everything, he’s had chances, scored a goal and on top of that his knowledge of football is very helpful on the pitch for our young lads.” Record had shaken hands with Billy’s dad Ricky before the match. He tried to sign him back in the day, during his previous stint as manager.

“It is funny how things turn out,” said the Ites boss. “Football’s in the family and his dad was a top player. “He played for a number of London clubs and I was up against him when I played for the likes of Whitstable.

I remember trying to sign him when I was Sheppey manager before. “It was good to see him before Saturday’s match as I’d not seen him in a while.” Bennett’s winner came on 51 minutes and Record couldn’t believe they ended up winning by just the one goal.

He said: “We played some good football and we created chances, those chances were spread around three or four of our players. “It’s no exaggeration but how we didn’t win that game by six clear goals was quite extraordinary really. I would give them a goal but we missed so many chances.

“I said to the lads at half-time, ‘Let’s make sure we don’t pay the price of missing so many chances’. “We needed to restart the half firing on all cylinders. Within five minutes, Billy scored a well-created goal with Gil Carvalho getting another assist.

” Mamadou Diallo was back from injury after a spell out injured, playing wide on the right after replacing Jack Marsh on 70 minutes. Sheppey have three games left this season with two coming up. They head to relegated Steyning Town on Friday before hosting second-placed Sittingbourne on Easter Monday.

Record said: “Steyning beat Ashford 6-3 on Saturday so it shows that won’t be easy. They might be a bit more relaxed now, the pressure’s off them. “We look forward to that and when it comes to Kent derbies, Sheppey and Sittingbourne rank alongside any other, whether that’s Folkestone and Dover or Whitstable and Herne Bay, this one is a great traditional game for supporters.

“Let’s hope the Isle of Sheppey once again come out and support us and we have a good crowd on Monday, and try and give them a good game, because they are second in the league for a reason. “They have had a brilliant season and we are going to be the underdogs, the boys will need to step up if they want to get anything out of it.” Captain Danny Leonard has a reoccurring hip problem and Record says the ball’s in his court over his availability, adding: “If he’s available then great and if not then he has to think about next season.

“It was good to have Mams (Diallo) back. Dan Carr was on the bench again having done a good hour the week before. He is getting fitter.

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