DRAWN against Hertfordshire-based Tring Athletic, Jersey Bulls U18s are seeking to qualify for the FA Youth Cup First Round “proper” for the very first time, in a rearranged fixture tomorrow evening.
Originally scheduled for last Wednesday, a waterlogged pitch forced the contest off just hours before kick off – “correctly,” in the opinion of head coach Paul Renton.
His side had already made the journey to the UK and had arrived at the ground when they were told of the news, but Renton credited the officials for making the correct decision.
When asked if his side would be able to maintain focus after the cancellation, Renton said: “If the boys want to continue in the competition they have to win the next game in front of them, it’s as simple as that.
“The boys know what the reward is for a win and we want to make sure we are highly competitive.”
Tring Athletic are bringing good league form into the fixture.
On the opposition, Renton continued: “We can expect a tough game. They’ve done the same as us getting to this stage of the competition so they’re clearly a good side and will create a tough challenge for us.
“If we just go into the game concentrating on ourselves and being competitive then we’ll take whatever comes back at us.”
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Bulls team, is versatile sportsman and captain Charlie Brennan.
The Caesarean has played for Jersey’s national side at cricket this season, as well as being a key component of Renton’s team.
The captain said: “It means a lot to play in such a prestigious cup competition.
The opportunity to play such high-level teams, most of which the boys grew up supporting is incredible and motivation for us to progress as far into the competition as we can.
“We’ve been excellent so far, especially in the last round, winning 7-0. We just want to carry that momentum on into Wednesday night.
“We go into every game confident and aim to focus on what we can control.
“With the quality that we have and what we’ve shown so far, we’ll be more than capable to compete against any team.”
Renton is still without key players Fergus Boyle and Barry Beatson for this fixture.
Evan Lees also misses out with Charlie Sterling taking his place, which marks the only change from the squad that travelled last week.
Berkhamsted await the victor of this tie in the next round, with action from the Grass Roots Stadium set to start tomorrow at 7.45pm.
Jersey Bulls U18s: Tiago Duarte, Damon Huckerby, Kyle Wilson, Connor Lloyd, Tomas Goncalves, Charlie Brennan (captain), Charlie Sterling, Edward Jeffries, Conor O’Keeffe, Leighton Gilroy, Callum Gilroy, Joey O’Toole, Daniel Andrade, Casey Nixon.
