“WE’RE happy to have a go at another cup run.” Said Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell ahead of their third knockout match in seven days.
The Jersey Bulls will be looking to secure their place in the Third Round Qualifying of the Isuzu FA Trophy as they travel to face Harrow Borough FC on Saturday.
The Bulls head to London for a 1:30pm kick-off at Earlsmead Stadium, aiming to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season earlier this week.
Harrow Borough stand third in their division and are expected to prove a stern challenge for the visiting side.
The Bulls’ debut fixture in the Step 1-4 competition proved a comfortable outing. A 3-1 victory over Hastings United etched the Jersey name into the Isuzu FA Trophy books.
“By no means were we overwhelmed by the occasion.” Said Powell after their inaugural win in the competition and the manager will be targeting much of the same tomorrow.
Powell is aiming for another successful cup run following their exit from the FA Cup away to Worthing midweek, saying: “We’ve put in two slogs physically and psychologically on Saturday and Tuesday.
“We’re not used to being on the end of a defeat like that, so we will rest up and go again Saturday. We’re looking forward to it and we’re pretty confident that we can progress.”
Midfielder powerhouse, Toby Ritzema, is pleased to have worked his way back into the side following a five-month spell on the sidelines due to injury, saying: “Obviously, it’s great to be back amongst the lads, we’re such a close group and there’s nothing better to do with your Saturdays.”
Ritzema also explained the squads’ expectations for their debut campaign in the competition: “I think it’s just win as many games as possible; it’s a good opportunity to play against teams at the level we’re at now to prepare for the league, but it’s also a chance to play teams who are higher up.”
Whilst it is a great opportunity for the squad, Ritzema is wary of the busy schedule alongside the difficulties of travelling to the mainland so often, stating: “It’s difficult away from home, you lose the crowd.”
“Travelling can prove tough as you’re up early and don’t always have the most luxurious travel options, which is maybe something we need to look at as a club.”
Powell remains confident in his side despite the packed schedule, saying: “The team hasn’t let up in terms of motivation or energy levels, we’ve got back-to-back away games, it’s important that we nail that and give ourselves the best possible chance of winning.”
The midfielder continued to discuss the tight schedule, explaining: “There are still 40 plus games top be played, and staying in these cups does delay league games. It’d be good to eventually take our focus to the league and hopefully climb up the table.”
In terms of his own performance, Ritzema is always keen to impress: “I’m always ready, I hope to flabbergast a few spectators come Saturday.”
Powell is cool-headed surrounding the delay that the cup games have caused to their league campaign, stating: “Everyone’s going to play 42 games in the league, it doesn’t really matter when you play them.”
“It creates a good opportunity from our perspective, with a backlog of fixtures, it gives us a run of games on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s where we could quite quickly climb the table and gain a lot of momentum.”
Jersey Bulls Squad:
Daniel Jinadu, Francis Lekimamati, Fraser Barlow, Harry Mackenzie, James Queree, James Sunley, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonny Le Quesne, Lorne Bickley, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Toby Ritzema, Will Yates
Archie’s Predicted XI
Squad rotation is important with such an intense fixture list, for that reason I think squad selection may be ever so slightly rejigged this weekend.
With Daniel Jinadu the only named goalkeeper in the squad, I assume he will start in goal. I think Jamie Watling and James Queree will return at centre-back.
I think Jay Giles will remain at left-back with Jonny Le Quesne keeping his spot on the right-hand side.
I think the midfield is a difficult selection, Luke Watson, Toby Ritzema and Joe Kilshaw are my three picks, although with the return of James Sunley, I would not be surprised if he was re-introduced to the starting line-up.
A front three of Lorne Bickley, Miguel Carvalho (right-wing) and Rai Dos Santos (left-wing) is difficult to pass up on.
