โI really miss all the England stuff but you canโt keep looking back...it would have been lovely to go pro but I donโt regret anything.โ
@AshfordUnitedFC midfielder @JoshWisson says he has the best of both worlds now https://t.co/6HrM6gUV3U
๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐: ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ป ๐ญโ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
Isthmian League South East Division
Sheppey United headed into this Isthmian League South East clash with a few notable absences. D'Jean Spencer remained sidelined with an ongoing hamstring issue, while both Alfie Evans and Mams Diallo are still without a set return date.
Sheppey United started brightly on a windy afternoon, looking dangerous from set-pieces early on. In the 6th minute, a corner swung in by Leonard found Mbayo, whose header picked out Josh Wisson, though his effort flew off target. Two minutes later, a goal kick caught in the wind fell to Dylan Adjei-Hersey; he cushioned a header into Oghosa Williams, whose deflected shot yielded another corner that Wisson fired just over the bar.
Steyning offered a brief threat in the 10th minute with a dangerous ball across the box, but the Ites quickly regained control. Cameron Andrews tested the Town defence with a pair of dangerous free-kicks, before Adjei-Hersey won another set-piece after cutting inside in the 13th minute.
The home side found themselves under increasing pressure, with Charlie Pitcher picking up the game's first booking in the 25th minute for a late challenge on Mo Dabo. Shortly after, a sharp cross from Wisson saw Harry Lawrence head across goal, only for Steyning keeper Alfie Mansell to gather.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 30th minute. Sheppey swung in a corner that saw a Lawrence header cleared off the line. The resulting second corner broke to Hilden, who picked-out Josh Wisson to execute a sublime half-volley into the net, putting the Ites 1โ0 ahead.
Steyning pushed for a response as the half drew to a close, forcing key defensive headers from Lawrence and Andrewsโthe latter earning his 5th league booking of the season in the 34th minute for a foul. Sheppey nearly doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Williams picked out Adjei-Hersey, but his stabbed effort lacked the power to trouble Mansell. The Ites went into the break with a well-deserved lead, though it easily could have been more.
Steyning came out with renewed intent after the interval, testing Harley Earle in the 48th minute, but the Sheppey goalkeeper produced a smart save to preserve the lead. At the other end, Leonard's cross earned a corner after good work from Hilden, though Sheppey couldn't capitalise.
In the 59th minute, Sheppey made their first substitution, bringing on Mikey Salako for Williams. Steyning made changes of their own, introducing Conrad Honore and Jared Rance.
The home side's persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Adam Adam found the net to bring Steyning Town level at 1โ1.
With the game finely balanced, both sides introduced fresh legsโJack Palmby replaced Benjamin Clark in the 82nd minute for Sheppey. As the match entered its closing stages, both Lawrence and Wisson saw attempts blocked as the Ites hunted for a late winner. In the 85th minute, Hilden was set up by Lawrence, but his effort was blocked by a resolute Town defence.
Just as a draw seemed likely, magic struck in the 87th minute. Dylan Adjei-Hersey fed Harry Lawrence, who unleashed a sensational cross/shot from 30 yards out that went straight into the net after Salako and Mansell both challenged for the ball, to restore Sheppey's lead.
Steyning pressed late into stoppage time, but strong work up by Sheppey to managed to seal a hard-fought 2โ1 victory on the road.
๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ & ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐
Starting XI: Harley Earle (GK), Harry Lawrence, Mo Dabo, Josh Wisson, Mbayo, Ben Clark (Jack Palmby 82'), Cameron Andrews, Alfie Hilden, Dylan Adjei-Hersey, Danny Leonard, Oghosa Williams (Mikey Salako 59')
Unused Subs: Joe Ganiwa, Simon Kabamba, Kaelem Sobhee-Turner
Goalscorers: Josh Wisson (30'), Harry Lawrence (87')
Bookings: Cameron Andrews (34')
Report: Lee Allen
Photo: Oliver Belcher
๐ฃ๐ข๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ช๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ
Sheppey United is delighted to announce the signing of 27-year-old midfielder, Josh Wisson. This acquisition bolsters the squad with another experienced and proven player at this level.
Known to fans as "Wisso," he is recognised for his physical presence, leadership on the pitch, and aerial dominance in both attack and defence. He also offers valuable cover at centre-back, a position he has played at with Sittingbourne and Sevenoaks Town at times. Wisson returns to the Ites after recent spells with Sevenoaks Town and Bearsted.
Early in his career, Wisson represented and captained the England Schoolboys squad, which led to trials at Millwall and Leyton Orient before an injury setback. Prior to his first period at the Ites, he is most renowned across the county for a highly successful tenure at Ashford United. He became a fan favourite there, accumulating 143 appearances and contributing over 24 goals from midfield.
Wisson's initial move to the Ites came via a recommendation from former Ashford United teammate Jono Richardson to then-Manager Jack Midson. During this first spell, Wisson made 55 appearances, chipping in with 9 goals and 7 assists, including the memorable FA Cup goal away at Merthyr.
A brief time at Hythe Town followed, after which Wisson had a very short second stint at the Ites, limited to just 4 appearances due to the team's strong start during the 2024/25 season.
Manager Ian Batten expressed his pleasure with the signing: โI spoke to Josh and immediately sensed he has a great deal of respect for the club and its supporters. I know Josh and Lee (Allen) keep in touch, and Lee mentioned that Josh recently described the Ites as the best team heโs ever played for.
โWe know exactly what Josh bringsโkey elements we sometimes lacked in midfield last season: a voice, winning headers, and a physical presence. Wisso also has a good scoring record and is capable of picking out a quality pass. George and I are looking forward to working with him when we return in a few weeks.
Josh Wisson added, "I'm delighted to be back at Sheppey, a club that means a lot to me.
"I'm looking forward to helping towards a successful season for a fantastic club. Up the Ites!!!"
@JoshWisson
Looking for a place to call home for 26/27 โฝ๏ธ
Just under 400 apps at step 4
A fair few goals
Plenty of good areas
Can win a header or two ๐ค
Looking to hit the ground running ๐๐ผ
Club legend enough said... has put this team on his back at times, anyone who says different is just wrong!! Will be missed when his time has come ๐
I spent four months in the company of #Millwall captain Jake Cooper
It was an eventful period that ended with a painful defeat in theย playoffs this week
This tells the story of that time and what life looks like for an EFL footballer
(Free to read)
https://t.co/XFFLdp5BkN
A season interrupted by hand surgery in the middle, but a big thanks to both clubs I represented this season ๐ ready to hit the ground running and make up for lost time, wherever that may be next year โฝ๏ธ
The ever impressive Sean Dycheโฆ
โWeโve gotta run and run and run some moreโ - thereโs nothing complicated to it he claims.
Now, Mr. Dyche is one of a few Premier League managers I havenโt had the pleasure to meetโฆbut if I did I know what Iโd want to talk to him about.
Iโd be bold. Iโd give him a knowing smile and a little wink: โCome on Mr Dyche who are you kidding? This is years of playing and thinking. This is years of study that youโve wrapped into a simple framework you can take with you anywhereโฆโ
Simple masking complexโฆ
Now, of course, he might push back: โNo Dan this really is simpleโ - but thereโs nothing simple about team shape, pressing, recovery lines, working in synchโฆ
No, Mr Dyche, noโฆthis is just darn good coaching. And darn good coaching is neither simple nor easy. Itโs complex and hard.
I love the fact that Mr Dyche speaks about the importance of a framework. And that players can then explore from that framework. They ca explore and create. But a solid base is needed.
This resonates with me because my work as a sport psychologist functions in a similar vein. I want the players and teams I work with to be passionate about High Performance Mindsets. I want them to be students of mindset. I want them to take control and take charge of three mental skills - attention, intensity, intent.
From this framework I believe they can optimise the execution of their technical, tactical, and physical actions. From this framework I believe they can their best possible performance. From this framework I believe they can be tough to beat (not impossible to beatโฆbut tough to beat)โฆ
The ever impressive Sean Dyche sells you his simple. But his simple is enveloping the complex. His simple is years in the makingโฆ
Being injured meant I got to go to the den after a few years out ๐๐ผ Alex Neil is building something special, what a team, De Noore and Femi are on another level
Sevenoaks Town player Josh Wisson had surgery today to repair a ruptured tendon in his hand, an injury suffered in our recent home game against Ashford United ๐ฉ
Speedy recovery @JoshWisson! ๐
๐ตโซ๏ธ | #Sevenoaks#STFC#IsthmianLeague