IT is a scoreline that reads as dominant on paper, but Paul Renton’s young side had to dig very deep to beat a gritty Metropolitan Police U18 outfit by a margin of 4-1, in the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup.
Given the fact Bulls U18s do not play league football, the cup provides the sole opportunity for the club’s youngsters to play and thus exit would render their fresh campaign essentially over before it had even begun.
Under the weight of that reality, Renton’s side flourished in what was a “home” tie staged at Crawley Down Gatwick FC.
Striker Conor O’Keeffe opened the scoring after ten minutes, before centre-half Max Stefanski headed home to double the lead on 50 minutes.
Met Police halved the deficit on 65 minutes, to create a tense finish to the cup affair.
But Jersey held firm before a wonder goal from Evan Lees and a deflected effort from Dylan McGee on 91 and 93 minutes respectively sealed the deal.
“I am delighted with the way we performed – all over the pitch,” said the manager. “I think 4-1 flattered us.
“They were a really good side with plenty of power and pace and we certainly had to be sharp and at our best to win.
“There were spells in the game where we were under pressure and the boys had to defend for large periods of time.
“But they withstood that pressure and the rewards came down the other end.
“Our four goals were all really well taken.
“We stressed build-up play as a point of emphasis at the break and it really paid off towards the end of the game when legs got tired.
“A lot of the lads included had played senior football the night before, so to come from that, travel and then compete to the level they did is a massive credit to them and their mindset.”
Perhaps the most impressive element of the victory was that all three of the second-half goals scored by those in red came from substitutes, a statistic that highlights the strength in depth in Renton’s travelling 15.
He added: “All the players make a financial commitment to be a part of this side.
“So if they are doing that, there is a guarantee that they will play at least 50% of the fixture.
“But we are very grateful to have such a strong squad.
“I have always stressed, and that rang true this time, that it’s not about the 11 players that started, or the 11 that finished, it’s about the 15 involved. That’s what got us the result.
“An awful lot of credit must go to the combination clubs that these guys are a part of.
“They are all playing senior football locally and the pre-season work they have done and their respective coaches have done have ensured they are really sharp come game time for us.
“To keep playing, they all know that we need to win. That’s the carrot dangled at the end of each game and that’s what they have earned.
“I said last season it will take a good side to beat us and I feel that is exactly the case this year also.”
Jersey Bulls: Tiago Duarte, Ewan Brodie, Sonny Cassidy, Fergus Boyle (c), Tomas Goncalves, Kyle Wilson (Max Stefanki 46), Will Yates (Evan Lees 46), Stanley Dunne (Harry Ecobichon 46), Callum Gilroy (Dylan McGee 46), Joey O’Toole, Conor O’Keeffe.
