JERSEY Bulls hit the road for the first time in the new year tomorrow as they travel to East Sussex to face Crowborough Athletic.
The Bulls’ 26th league fixture of the campaign is scheduled to get under way at 1pm at the Crowborough Community Stadium, against one of the few sides they are yet to encounter this season.
Vice-captain Jonny Le Quesne, who will assume the captaincy in the absence of James Queree, says the squad are eager to get back on the road after the festive schedule.
“I’m sure everyone’s keen to get away,” he said. “We just keep rattling through the fixtures. The weather doesn’t look too promising, but if the game’s on then everyone will be ready to go as usual.”
The Bulls head into the fixture encouraged by a strong Christmas period, having taken two results from three games, and Le Quesne believes the coming month will be pivotal in shaping their season.
“I think it’s key, this next month,” he added. “We came through the Christmas period in a really good position. To get two results out of three over that busy spell was important, and defensively we’ve been in a good place.”
Stability at the back has been a defining feature of the Bulls’ recent form, with Le Quesne part of a settled defensive unit that has grown together over several seasons.
“For the most part, myself, Jay [Giles], [James] Queree and Luke Campbell have been together for four or five years now,” he said. “That consistency across the back four really helps. Everyone who’s come in when required has lived up to expectations, and in some cases exceeded them.”
Pierce Roche has enjoyed a positive spell in between the sticks as number one Euan Van Der Vliet is unavailable, earning three clean sheets in his last four starts.
Competition for places has also sharpened standards within the group as availability improves following the festive period.
“It’s always good to have full squads and competition for places,” said the full back. “Everyone fighting for their position increases the level. Now Christmas is done, for the most part we should have a full squad heading into the second half of the season.”
Despite the Bulls having already faced many of the division’s top sides, Le Quesne is keen to stress that league position offers no guarantees at this level.
“We’ve had a few meetings this season and come to the conclusion that none of the games are easy,” he said. “It’s true that we’ve played a lot of the teams at the top, but the games against sides below or around us are often the most important ones.
“There are no easy games. These are the ones you really have to get up for and find results in, even when they’re not going your way.”
With 17 league matches remaining and a favourable-looking run-in on paper, the Bulls will look to start the year as they mean to go on.
Jersey Bulls squad to face Crowborough Athletic: Adam Trotter, Francis Lekimamati, James Carr, James Sunley, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonny Le Quesne, Lorne Bickley, Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Pierce Roche, Rai Dos Santos, Stanley Dunne
Archie’s Predicted XI
Pierce Roche will return in goal with a back four of Jay Giles, Luke Campbell, Jamie Watling and Jonny Le Quesne ahead of him.
In midfield, I think Luke Watson will keep his spot in midfield alongside Adam Trotter. I feel James Sunley is a good fit for a fixture that may require a moment of brilliance.
With Rai Dos Santos back in the squad, I think he may be second to Francis Lekimamati due to his standout performance at Springfield on Saturday.
I expect, upon his return, Lorne Bickley to lead the line with Miguel Carvalho allowed to return to his favoured right-hand side.
