IN what feels like an era-defining season for the Jersey Bulls, players and fans alike can feel quietly confident with the start Elliot Powell’s side have made to the new season.
A resounding 5-0 win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round clash with Erith & Belvedere to kick start the campaign was backed up with a brave 1-1 draw away to a strong Margate side in their first Isthmian League South East Division fixture last weekend, the club’s first game at Step 4 of the English non-league football pyramid.
Fraser Barlow’s opener on the southeast coast has breathed life into a new beginning for Jersey’s elite footballing club that they can mix it with the best this season, which continues tomorrow with a return to FA Cup action.
Fisher FC will be the latest opponents to grace the newly laid turf at Springfield Stadium for tomorrow’s FA Cup Preliminary Round fixture, after their 3-1 home victory in the previous round over Camberley Town.
Fisher FC is a supporter owned and run football club originating from Bermondsey, in the London Borough of Southwark, who currently play in the Southern Counties East Football League which is step 5 of the non-league pyramid.
Ably led by manager Ajay Ashanike, they have had a bright start to the new season themselves, unbeaten in the SCEFL Premier Division with two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures, leaving them comfortably sat in 4th place. Following a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the SCEFL Playoff final last season to VCD Athletic, Fisher will be looking to make a statement against a Bulls side they will fancy themselves to compete with.
Elliot Powell spoke highly of his side’s start to the new campaign, saying: “It’s great to be back playing competitive football and the whole club feels full of confidence right now.
“A couple of strong performances to start the season, both in the cup and in the league have helped settle us in slightly, but we know the season is still very much in its infancy.”
The Bulls are still waiting to field their strongest squad, with big names such as goalkeeper Euan Van Der Vliet, Lorne Bickley among others sidelined with injury. However, even without the full-strength side to date, they have shown promise early.
“The Margate performance was a good one I thought, if I’m being honest I think we could have come away with all three points, which is a good position to be in.
“They were tipped at the start of the season as one of the favorites for the league, so to go to their place first game of the season and leave with a point is promising for us.
“We introduced a slightly new style for that game, as we knew the style of game we required and I thought we executed it really well. In this new league at a higher standard that we have competed at, we know we are going to have to be flexible with our style of play and the lads will have to buy into that, but that was a good start.”
The Bulls opted out of competing in the FA Cup last season, making their league campaign their primary focus. However, this season Powell confirmed the club is keen to make a strong run at the famous cup competition.
“We know our expectation for the league this season are different than last, so we know that a strong run in a cup competition will bring excitement to the club and our fans.
“This competition is steeped in history and we want to make our own mark on that. Being able to host these games at Springfield is awesome for us as a club and for the Island in general and we’re all excited to get back out there tomorrow.”
Captain James Querée, who scored a rare but popular goal in their 5-0 win over Erith & Belvedere, returns to the playing squad tomorrow, alongside returns for winger Francis Lekimamati and a hopeful return to full fitness for the exciting Rai Dos Santos.
Although missing key front man Lorne Bickley, the Bulls proved both last season and at the start of this one that they can score goals from all across the park, which may well be required again tomorrow if fellow forward Dos Santos is deemed not fit to start.
FA Cup action is scheduled for an earlier kick off than usual of 12pm tomorrow at Springfield Stadium.
Jersey Bulls squad to face Fisher FC
James Querée (c), Adam Trotter, Daniel Jinadu, Francis Lekimamati, Frank Tobin, Fraser Barlow, Jack Lumsden, James Carr, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonny Le Quesne, Luke Campbell, Luke Coutanche, Luke Watson, Pierce Roche, Rai Dos Santos, Sammy Sutcliffe, Will Yates
Elliot Corbel’s Predicted XI
Following the unfortunate injury of regular keeper Euan Van Der Vliet in the warm-up at Margate, incoming shot-stopper Daniel Jinadu earned himself favor with an excellent performance. He will keep his spot in my side for tomorrow. Elliot Powell welcomes back some regular names for the Fisher contest, most notably including captain James Querée, but the defensive line poses a good question. Sammy Sutcliffe earned himself man of the match against Margate, but for me, the skipper slots back in alongside long-standing centre back partner, Luke Campbell, with Jay Giles continuing on the left and Jonny Le Quesne on the right. The ever-present Luke Watson sits in front of the back four in an unchanged midfield three, with Joe Kilshaw and Lack Lumsden in front. Fraser Barlow remains on the left after securing his sides first goal in Step 4, with Miguel Carvalho on the right and the hopefully fully fit Rai Dos Santos taking the number 9 spot up front. What do you think of this starting XI?
