Promotion is in the bag but celebrations are on hold as Sheppey chase a unique quadruple.

The Ites secured a top-two finish in Southern Counties East and a place in Isthmian South East after a 2-1 win at Crowborough last Tuesday.

But there’s still a title to be won and Sheppey moved five points of rivals Chatham by thrashing fourth-placed Deal 7-1 at Holm Park on Saturday.

Warren Mfula scored a second-half hat-trick, with two goals apiece for Billy Bennett and Dean Grant. Chatham dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Punjab.

Tonight, the Ites take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final at Sutton Athletic.

Then, having already won the delayed 2019/20 Kent Senior Trophy this season, the Ites will attempt to win this year’s competition when they meet Hollands & Blair at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone on Sunday (2pm).

Sheppey proved they still had their eye on the ball in their destruction of Deal and manager Ernie Batten has urged his players to keep it that way and hoover up the trophies.

“I think, with promotion assured, Saturday was really an expression of players playing with the utmost confidence,” said Batten.

“Deal are a very strong outfit, with a good defensive record, but everything clicked. We were so fluid we were always going to win that game.

“It was just a matter of how many by and we could have had more but seven was a fair reflection.

“Everyone, to a man, played at their very best levels.

“We haven’t celebrated the promotion yet because there’s still a lot of work to do.

“We’re in pole position in the league after Chatham drew but we haven’t won anything yet.

“We’ve got a chance of winning the league and the Kent Senior Trophy again and we could be in the Challenge Cup final.

“I’ve said to the players, when you’ve worked this hard over the best part of a year and there’s a few games left to achieve what would be a historic year, then you can’t relax. You’ve got to go and win these trophies.

“With the delayed Kent Senior Trophy, it’s effectively a quadruple.

“It won’t be easy but this squad never ceases to amaze me. They’ve been remarkable.”

Helge Orome misses out at the Gallagher through suspension and Danny Devine is injured, while Liam Gillies (dead leg) is a doubt.

Hundreds of Islanders are set to cheer on the Ites against Scott Porter’s Blair.

“I’m expecting a very tough game,” said Batten.

“I know Scott and we faced him in this final when he was Whitstable manager and they got the better of us.

“He’s got a certain style which he likes his teams to play.

“They’re direct and physical and it’s proven to get results at this level.

“We’re under no illusions how difficult it will be and since Scott’s got in there they’ve got a very good league record.

“In terms of the league table, we’re favourites but cup finals are a one-off game and anything can happen in football. It’s who plays best on the day and who handles the occasion.

“By a twist of fate, we’ve got Blair again six days later in the league (they meet at Holm Park next Saturday) so two games against them could define our season in terms of getting hold of trophies.”

Batten believes Sheppey will be competitive in Isthmian South East and is already taking calls from players wanting to join them.

“We’ve started to plan a little bit for next season but this season is paramount,” said Batten. “I’ve had quite a lot of players contact me from levels above, some I’ve previously tried to get in at Step 5.

“It will make it easier for us in terms of attracting quality players because of the level we’ll be at and we’ve got the stadium and the set-up.

“I really think we’ve got a great platform to be a forward-thinking club in that league.

“We wouldn’t be happy just to sit in any league, myself and my coaches are striving to push on and we’ll be looking to challenge at Step 4.”