“We eventually got the third goal and they got a consolation at the end. Certainly in the first half we were very good.

“I think knowing so many players was a bit of a motivation on both sides, plenty or former Sheppey players and you expect them to lift the game. There was a bit extra on it.”

On Monday the Ites claimed another impressive win, a 4-0 victory at the Reachfields Stadium against Hythe - a club who have their former chairman Matt Smith overseeing things.

Batten’s men went a goal up through Gil Carvalho and two headed efforts - one in each half - from Dan Carr ensured the points were returning to the island. Eitel Goueth added a fourth a minute from time.

All three players registered their first goals for the club in the win.

Record said: “Conditions at Hythe were quite difficult, it was a warm day and the pitch was very dry. It was difficult to play on.

“They play a bit of a long-ball game and we got bombarded from long balls. They have Jack Steventon with a long throw and every time it went out 30-40 yards away from our goal he launched it back in like a corner.

“We took some time to settle down but once we did we played some good stuff, scored some good goals, created a few other chances and it turned out really well.

“The lads kept their energy levels high as well. We ran the legs off Hythe, our lads looked really fit.”

Sheppey and Ramsgate have both won their opening three fixtures to make the early running in the table.

Record said: “It’s early days but Alan Jack, the club historian, told us that at this level Sheppey have never been top of a league - so even if it’s for a day that will do!

“We had a lot of changes in the summer, some key players went, but a lot of work has been done behind the scenes to replace them.

“In pre-season we were trying to judge players, there were so many changes and it was hard to get anything going, but from the first game of the season onwards we have made just one or two changes and have slowly gelled as a team.

“Instead of everyone trying individually to impress, they have come together really well. That has been the main difference.”

There have been some standout individuals, none more so than Jacob Lambert.

He scored against Sevenoaks and helped create two more on Monday.

Record said: “It was a lovely cross for the first one that Dan Carr scored. He was on the run, he looked up and crossed.

“He had another where he won a tackle, hit a shot, the keeper parried and Eitel followed it up to score his first goal for us as well.

“Jacob has been playing great. He has added a lot to his football.

“I remember last season when we played Merthyr Tydfil down there, I had a go at him for not tackling. Their no.6 was getting on the ball but I told him he needed to starting tackling.

“To be fair to him, in the last year his improvement not only with the ball but without it, he has been immense.

“He has been getting back, tackling, creating chances, scoring goals. What else can the lad do!?

“He has a football brain and everything he does in possession is really natural for him and he is a great lad as well.”