“It is an absolute delight that we can provide these opportunities for men and women.”
club president, Russell Le feuvre
JERSEY Bulls President Russell Le Feuvre was full of praise and excitement ahead of what promises to be a landmark weekend for the club, as the Bulls Men’s first team welcome National League South side Worthing FC in the Second Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup tomorrow at 3.30pm.
The women’s first team host their inaugural National League fixture at home to Old Tiffinians at 2pm on Sunday.
The Women’s Head Coach Chad Morris, mentioned the increase in participation that women’s football has seen, saying: “As the years go on and the game keeps growing, the pool of players we have available will keep getting bigger and bigger, which is exactly the problem we want.”
The Under 18 Boys and Under 16 Girls also feature on a packed weekend, in what is one of the biggest footballing weekends Jersey has seen in recent memory.
“There is no limit, we’ve never set a ceiling,” continued a passionate Le Feuvre. “It’s over to the players, to the management team, to go out there and see how far they can go.
“It’s a chance for them to showcase what they can do; the men’s side have done fantastically well this season so far and tomorrow is another incredibly exciting challenge.”
The men’s first team are set to make history tomorrow as they their highest level of opposition so far in the club’s young history. Meanwhile, the newly formed Jersey Bulls Women’s side make their entrance to the national stage with their debut clash in the red Bulls strip.
Club President Le Feuvre, calls for maximum support ahead of both games, saying: “The people of Jersey need to get behind the club that are out there representing the Island, it means a lot to everybody involved at the club, especially the players out there on the pitch to have that local support behind them, it makes a huge difference on matchday.”
This season, the Bulls have expanded it’s club to include the highly anticipated Women’s side, as well as the expansion of the academy across both boys and girls.
Speaking on this expansion, Le Feuvre continued: “We’re providing equal opportunities for all the different demographics, which is something the club is really proud to do. These fantastic opportunities for our local players in the national league system is exciting for the future of the club and football on Island.”
The clubs’ academy sides are also set for action in the coming days. The newly formed Girls U16 side will be playing away to Worthing Town FC this Sunday in their first ever league fixture.
Whilst the U18 Boys side travel to Hampton & Richmond Bourgh U18s in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup next Monday after their resounding 10-2 victory over Ascot United in the previous round.
For the Men’s First Team, tomorrow represents a historic test, facing a Step 2 side for the first time in the club’s history. Manager Elliot Powell has highlighted cup competitions this season as an area to aim for, but Worthing will provide a whole new challenge of quality.
Currently sat tenth in the National League South, Worthing FC will certainly present the unbeaten Bulls with a difficult physical challenge.
Powell is excited for the fixture nonetheless, saying: “It’s not often a Jersey team goes into a game as such heavy underdogs, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“We’re not expected to win, but we’ve got every belief that we can cause problems. If the conditions are right, if they have a slight off day, if we’re spot on and get a bit of luck, we could create a really big upset, which would be phenomenal.”
Powell echoed his President’s call for support, adding: “There’s going to be moments where we are on top and we need to make that as vociferous as possible and get the crowd behind us.
“That’s why the Cobham [promotion] night was so special. The crowd got right behind us, cheered every header, every tackle, and we’re going to need that again tomorrow.”
The Jersey Bulls Women’s Head Coach, Chad Morris, is also eagerly anticipating Sunday’s opener, noting: “Everyone’s excited, we had our first session as a squad last Friday and another today. Once you’re fully prepared, you just want the game to come around now.”
In terms of season expectations, Morris is unsure what to expect for their debut campaign, continuing: “When we travel away, that will take some getting used to. In regards to the opposition we’re up against, we have some contacts helping us out, but a lot of teams seem to have brought in nine or ten new players.”
The top six sides in the 12-team South East Counties Women’s Football League Surrey Division 1 advance to the play-offs, where they face each other again in a bid to finish in the top two and secure promotion.
With new teams comes new challenges, as Morris admits “it’ll take some time to see where we fit into the league.”
With the Girls Academy set to begin their campaign this weekend also, Morris is pleased that the club have a pathway from academy to first team football.
“There’s definitely a few that are on the radar for when they turn 16 to get them in our squad,” Morris concluded.
“They will have had the exposure of what it’s like to play teams in the UK, what it’s like to travel away and play, so they’ll come in and hit the ground running.”
Jersey Bulls Men’s Squad: Daniel Jinadu, Euan Van Der Vliet, Francis Lekimamati, Fraser Barlow, Harry Mackenzie, James Carr, James Queree, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonny Le Quense, Lorne Bickley, Luke Coutanche, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Toby Ritzema, Will Yates
Jersey Bulls Preliminary Women’s Squad: Alena Clyde-Smith, Soraya De Conceicao, Emily Le Page, Rachael McCartan, Lauren Queree, Sofia Rodrigues, Samantha Silva, Holly Sundby, Anita Tavares, Daniella Bradshaw, Lara Couvert, Emilly Davies, Natasha Keen, Coco Leonard, Ana Malta, Leah Morris, Chantelle Renouard, Aine Ruth, Charley Skinner, Tiffany Sundby, Sophie Thornton
Archie’s Predicted XI
With this fixture being the toughest of the lot, I think the squad selection is almost entirely up in the air.
Much like last week, I think a 4-4-2 will be used, and I think it was trialed for fixtures like these.
I think Powell will go safe with Euan Van Der Vliet returning to the sticks, with captain James Queree and Jamie Watling in the centre of defence.
I think Jonny Le Quesne and Jay Giles will be either side of those two to make up the defence.
I have Fraser Barlow on the left with Miguel Carvalho, obviously, on the right.
In the middle of the park, I’ve gone with Luke Watson and Toby Ritzema. A mixture of experience and athleticism is needed when anticipating they may have little possession.
Up top, I’ve gone for Lorne Bickley and Rai Dos Santos. Lorne acting as the target man, with Dos Santos playing off him.
