ELLIOT Powell’s Jersey Bulls side return to the UK tomorrow for another important clash in the Premier Division South against Abbey Rangers.
On 18 wins from 22, Bulls sit comfortably in third place, five points clear of Cobham in fourth, but four points behind the front two teams in Redhill and AFC Whyteleafe.
The men in red still have an ace up their sleeve with games in hand, however, with two over Redhill and four over Whyteleafe.
Abbey Rangers find themselves firmly mid-table, currently occupying tenth spot.
It’s been a season of up and down results for Rangers, who have produced moments of class, including an impressive away win over play-off hopefuls Knaphill.
However, a poor end to 2024 saw them suffer back-to-back defeats to AFC Whyteleafe and Guildford City.
The Bulls on the other hand have continued where they left off last year, dazzling fans home and away with excellent football and goals galore from across the field.
It is still important to remember that the Powell’s men currently have the highest goal difference in the league, as well as being the second highest scoring team, all without their star goalscorer, Lorne Bickley.
The confection of names on the scoresheet each week is a sign of both how good this Bulls team is, while also demonstrating what a cohesive unit Powell and his staff have put together.
The Islanders ended 2024 with a resounding 4-1 away win over an impressive Fleet Town side, a real statement win at a crucial time of the season.
Since the turn of the year, they have left nothing behind, sweeping Epsom & Ewell aside last weekend 5-1 at Springfield Stadium.
The incredible unbeaten league run has extended to 22 games now, and this weekend offers a glorious opportunity to continue that run.
Jersey will take plenty of confidence into this clash as, not only are they bang in form, but they have already beaten Abbey Rangers this season in the reverse fixture, where Lorne Bickley and Miguel Carvalho were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 home win.
Bulls stalwart Jonny Le Quesne said: “This weekend will be another tough challenge, Abbey Rangers are a side who we know will not roll over for anyone.
“However, everyone in the group is eager to keep the momentum going and keep finding positive results.
“We are in a good run of form. From front to back we are producing good performances, so the focus is mainly on us continuing this, being hard to beat and creating plenty of chances.”
Noting the continued injury list the Bulls have been nursing all season, Le Quesne added: “We have struggled in the past couple of seasons throughout January and that is a big focus for the club right now to keep finding ways to win during this third of the season.
“Fortunately for us, we are now getting some our of key players back from injury, Lorne [Bickley], Miguel [Carvalho], Adam Trotter as well, who is back from travelling. These lads will come back in when they’re ready and continue to raise our levels for this weekend and rest of the season.”
Bulls skipper James Querée echoed Le Quesne’s thoughts, adding: “We’re looking forward to this week, it’s going to be a tough game as they all are.
“Without wanting to sound like a broken record, but every game is crucial for our ambitions this season.
“We have trained brilliantly this week and morale in the group is sky high. We have had some notable names back amongst the group, Lorne, Miguel, JJ Lloyd as well.
“It’s brilliant to have these boys back around. For someone like Lorne who has been out for so long now, he brings such an energy to the group and everyone has been so excited to have him back in full training, hopefully he’s only a couple of weeks away from returning.
“This weekend once again is all about us, doing what we do best, controlling the basics and continuing to build week on week.”
With AFC Whyteleafe competing in the FA Vase, the Bulls have a golden chance to close the gap to just one point on the league leaders.
The two promotion hopefuls are set to meet next weekend in what will be arguably the biggest game of the season throughout the league, although Querée and his squad are focusing on one game at a time.
“We have a good chance to gain some points on AFC Whyteleafe, but we know we still have a job to do this weekend first.
“Abbey are one of the better teams we have played this year and they deserve our full attention and respect.
“We will take full confidence into tomorrow and look to produce another clinical away performance and bring home another three points.”
Action from Addlestone is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off.
Jersey Bulls: Euan Van Der Vliet, Fraser Barlow, Harry Curtis, James Queree (c), Joe Kilshaw, Adam Trotter, Jonny Le Quesne, Karl Hinds, Kieran Lester, Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Rai Dos Santos, Seaney McColgan, Toby Ritzema
Elliot Corbel’s Predicted XI: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, and that’s what my predicted XI this week follows. The ever-reliable Euan Van Der Vliet continues in net, with the experienced centre-back pairing of Luke Campbell and skipper James Querée in front of him. Fraser Barlow has added goals to his excellent defensive form this season at left back, and the incoming Harry Curtis slots in at right back for me. Luke Watson remains a force in the defensive midfield role, with top goalscorer Joe Kilshaw ahead of him, alongside the versatile Jonny le Quesne. Due to the absence of Francis Lekimamati this week and with the continued injury absence of Miguel Carvalho, Toby Ritzema will once again fill in on the right wing, with the in form Rai Dos Santos on the left, and marksman Karl Hinds leading the line up front. On the bench, Adam Trotter offers an excellent option in midfield, with both Seaney McColgan and Kieran Lester offering prowess in attack if required.
