17/10/2026
On this day at Sheppey United:
3 years ago:
Historic FA Cup Triumph Over Billericay Town.
Sheppey United achieved one of the greatest moments in their modern history.
In an Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay away against higher-tier Billericay Town, the Ites held strong after a 1–1 draw in the initial fixture. Following another hard-fought battle, the match went into a high-stakes penalty shootout after the scores were level at 1-1 after 120 minutes of football - Dan Bradshaw had headed Sheppey United into an early lead from a Frankie Morgan cross
Starting XI: Aiden Prall, Frankie Morgan, Lekan Majoyegbe, Richie Hamill (C), Danny Leonard, Connor Wilkins, Dan Bradshaw, James Bessey, Jacob Lambert, Mamadou Diallo, Josh Wisson.
Subs: Dan Birch, Oscar Housego, Hadley G***k, Alex Willis, Maliq Morris, Ladi Durowoju, D'Jean Spencer.
Penalty Shootout Drama: Sheppey United put on a masterclass from the spot, successfully converting all five of their penalties. With Billericay Town missing one attempt - a great save by AidenPrall, Sheppey won 5–4 on penalties to secure a monumental victory, with Jacob Lambert scoring the winning penalty.
The win sent Sheppey United through to the FA Cup First Round Proper for the first time, setting up a historic televised tie against EFL side Walsall.
4 years ago:
Sheppey United officially bid farewell to coach Craig Coles.
Coles had joined halfway through the an incredible four trophies season.
6 years ago:
Seven-Goal Thriller vs. Corinthian FC!
Sheppey United travelled to face Corinthian FC in a Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL) Premier Division match that produced late drama.
Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Danny Devine, Fraser Walker, Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, George Crimmen, Richard Hamill, Danny Leonard, Connor Wilkins, Jack Midson (C), Billy Bennett, Harrison Carnegie.
Subs: Dan Birch, Warren Mfula, Junior Akhionbare, Ryan Freeman, Timmy Ogunrinde.
The Match:
From the moment referee Richard Joss blew his whistle, the match refused to settle into a cagey tactical battle. Sheppey United seized the early initiative, stunning the hosts with sharp attacking play. Billy Bennett and Connor Wilkins both found the back of the net in quick succession, handing Sheppey a commanding early advantage.
However, Corinthian were in no mood to roll over. Trailing by two, the hosts roared back into the contest. Emmanuel Oloyede proved to be a relentless thorn in Sheppey’s side, scoring twice in a breathless opening half-hour to level the score at 2–2 and completely flip the momentum of the game.
The drama intensified before the break when Sheppey was handed a golden opportunity to retake the lead from the penalty spot. Up stepped Jack Midson, but Corinthian’s defense held firm as the penalty was saved - by a certain Aiden Prall!, keeping the pulsating first half deadlocked.
As the match wore on, fatigue set in, but the intensity spiked into overdrive. The physical nature of the game finally boiled over into disciplinary chaos. Corinthian’s Chris Kinnear was shown a straight red card following a heavy challenge on Connor Wilkins. In the ensuing fallout, Sheppey’s Warren Mfula was also dismissed for his reaction, leaving both sides to battle it out with numerical disadvantages amidst a flurry of cautions—referee Joss ultimately issuing six yellow cards across the evening.
With the game seemingly destined for a share of the spoils at 3–3, after Danny Leonard had levelled for the ites in early injury time, the fixture had one final twist left.
Then, in dying moments, around 97 minutes, Jack Midson was on hand to cleverly flick the ball beyond Prall to seal a breathtaking 4–3 away victory, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling contingent.
The game is still spoken about today by those who were there, some supporters saying its one of the best Sheppey games they've ever watched
Photo: Marc Richards
Words: Lee Allen
