Sheppey United striker Alex Willis is making the most of his chance to shine.

A winning goal and a man-of-the-match performance at Sevenoaks on Saturday was another step in the right direction for a striker who has had to be patient for his opportunity.

Willis came into the starting XI against Lancing last month, where he netted late on in a 3-0 win. He then hit a brace against Merstham, scored in last Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Beckenham and added another goal to his tally on Saturday.

It’s the kind of form that the former Charlton academy hot-shot has been used to in his early years.

“I have always scored goals and I have to continue doing it, I am enjoying it at the moment,” said Willis, ahead of Sheppey’s midweek game against Ramsgate last night (Tuesday), which ended in a 1-0 defeat.

“I was just waiting for that opportunity. It can be difficult coming off the bench and at the start of the season I was just getting 10 minutes towards the end of games.”

Willis claimed the only goal of the game in the 1-0 away win at Sevenoaks.

“I got man-of-the-match as well and I was very happy,” he said. “That was from the fans and they always follow us in good numbers, home and away, they’re really passionate so to be selected by them is a nice feeling.”

Willis was offered a one-year professional contract at Charlton at the end of a two-year scholarship programme with the South London club. He’d been there since the age of eight, scoring over 500 goals in 10 years.

But he chose instead to go America, where he combined his football with a degree, and the goals kept flowing. The Covid pandemic meant his stay in the States lasted longer than anticipated, and he returned home at the beginning of the year, initially joining Faversham Strike Force and scoring a few goals there before heading to Sheppey.

Willis hasn’t given up on the dream of making it into the Football League but is just happy to be playing and scoring again.

“I took my chance and long may it continue,” said the striker.

“Right now I can’t get carried away, I have done well over the last three or four weeks, this is the only run of games I have had at this level and I have started alright, so far, I just have to keep doing it.

“I would love to climb back up the steps but I know not to get carried away. I have done well and I just need to keep finding the back of the net, that’s the plan.”

Sheppey made a great return to their Isthmian South East challenge last Tuesday with a home win over Beckenham, James Bessy-Saldhanha joining Willis on the scoresheet.

Games are coming thick and fast as the Ites play catch-up following a memorable FA Cup run. They head to Ashford United on Saturday before a trip to second-placed Three Bridges on Tuesday night.

Willis said: “I was happy to get the opener against Beckenham last Tuesday and I think we could have scored a few more.

“On Saturday we knew Sevenoaks were one of the top teams in the league, it was a great result and to score the only goal was nice.

“We said now the cup runs are over, our season starts, because we haven’t had that many league games. Now that is the only competition we are in, our full attention is towards the league and there is a job to be done every game to get three points.”

Sheppey were beaten by an 82nd minute goal against Ramsgate on Tuesday night, Benny Bioletti’s strike separating the teams. The Ites head into the weekend sitting 11th in the table.