AN eight-game unbeaten run has lifted Jersey Bulls to the top of the Combined Counties League Premier South table – but boss Gary Freeman is aware of the threat tomorrow’s opponents pose.
The Bulls play host to AFC Croydon, a club which hit the headlines over the summer after being bought by rapper Stormzy and former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, knowing that they can afford few slips up after a shaky start to the season.
A month ago, a 92nd minute winner from Lorne Bickley gave Jersey Bulls a precious 1-0 win in the reverse fixture against Croydon. The Londoners had been expected to challenge at the top end of the table, but currently sit in 16th place.
They have, however, changed managers with Saturday marking the first game in charge for former Cheltenham Town winger Jermaine McGlashan.
And Freeman is wary of the potential for a “new manager bounce”.
The Bulls manager said: “For ourselves, hopefully we carry on with what we have done recently.
“We have built from a solid defence and have kept a few clean sheets. Croydon will be a very tough challenge. They have got some very good players and have a new manager this week and that often brings a bit of a bounce which is always a worry.
“We will have to be patient at times this season – we saw that on Saturday [in the 1-0 against Cobham] – and we know we have to be solid and not give them anything to build on.”
The Bulls were unlucky with injuries at the start of the season, and Freeman said that it was “no coincidence” that an uptick in form has come at the same time as the returns of some of his key men.
However, he will be without two creative influences in Miguel Carvalho and Jack Boyle for the Croydon clash, while captain James Querée is likely to be a couple of weeks away from returning.
“Results have picked up since we got a few numbers back. Training it that bit more competitive and everyone is pushing each other for places.
“James Querée is still struggling a little, Joe Kilshaw is still probably a week or so away and [long-term injury] Ruben Mendes has started to do a little bit of work.
“Miguel and Jack are important players for us and will be a miss but we have Lorne, Fraser [Barlow] and Francis [Lekimamati] to led the line. We also have Adam Trotter back this week, which is a big plus.”
The Bulls currently have a one-point lead at the top of the table, although Farnham in second have three games in hand and boast a 100% record so far this season.
Kick-off at Springfield tomorrow is 3pm.
