IN A SPORT now in the vice-like grip of statistics and data – does xG have a tangible value? – you can find a narrative to suit any story.
Well, there’s one stat (a fact, to be particular) Bulls supporters in Sussex on Saturday afternoon were starting to really get behind.
Hassocks 0 – 2 Jersey Bulls
This excellent win over a hard-working, in-form Hassocks side, both goals courtesy of the irrepressible Lorne Bickley, leave the Bulls unbeaten in three, with a hugely winnable tie to come at Broadbridge Heath on Tuesday night.
Context is important too. The hosts came into the tie on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, four of those games away from home. When you put it together, all roads lead to a conclusion of this being a hugely significant result in Bulls’ season.
Now, Heath are a more than competent outfit at this level but Elliot Powell’s plan back in the summer will have looked at that fixture as winnable and given the steeliness his side are now showing, a four-unbeaten stretch is in sight – and it would be some going.
Coming into the contest following the hard-fought win over Sevenoaks, the confidence was clear to see in the visitors.
One of the major differences in the step-up in leagues has seen Bulls have to accept playing second-fiddle for large periods in games. At the well-appointed Hotel Beacon Ground, though, they were very much in control.
Euan van der Vliet and James Querée, within the space of thirty seconds, had to be at their most athletic best to defend their own goal – the former’s one-handed save from a Damien Theodore header was simply sensational – but apart from that, there was little of note which troubled the Islanders.
Somewhat predictably, Bickley made Hassocks pay just minutes later.
A nuanced, delicate slide-ball in behind an ill-advised high Hassocks’ defence, from Fraser Barlow, slipped Bickley in, the target man showing his all-court game by racing towards goal ahead of calmly slotting through James Shaw’s legs.
And he would notch a second at those crucial of moments, just after the half-time re-start.
This time, Rai Dos Santos was the provider, driving into the penalty box before teeing up Bickley, in his more natural environment of the six-yard box.
From there, it was a case of protecting what they had and that’s exactly what they did. If you were looking for a professional performance, full of game management, get hold of the tape.
Powell was clearly delighted, in particular, at a second, again factual, statistic.
Managers in the modern game place huge stock on keeping clean sheets and it was the first time this term the Bulls had gone back-to-back on that front.
‘The caveat to anything I say is that it’s important to remember we are still learning, and finding our feet, at this level. We’re seeing, and experiencing, many things for the first time so I have to give this group the benefit of the doubt at times,’ said the Bulls boss.
‘Having said that, I thought we were exemplary in how we went about it today. To come away from home to play against a side in such good form was a big ask. But our mental approach to it, coupled with executing the game plan we had, worked in tandem and I’m delighted.
‘I also feel both goals have come at important times in the game, because it forces your opposition to think differently and adjust their plans. We’ve worked really hard in trying to build different ways of playing, and the goals show that.
‘We’re going to stay grounded though, that’s for sure. We are working in small chunks when it comes to what we think we can get out of certain fixtures, and to now go on this small run only fuels the belief among the players and, I hope, the supporters.
‘The relentless nature of the game at this level only makes it harder but we’ll go to Broadbridge on Tuesday night with the belief we can get a result and while we are nowhere talking about the ‘p’ word (play-offs), we want to be looking up the table rather than over our shoulders.’
Isthmian League – South East Division (top 15)
