JERSEY Bulls face one of their sternest tests of the season this weekend as they travel to Kent to take on fourth-placed Sittingbourne at the Staxson Stadium, kick-off 1pm.
With Sittingbourne six points clear of the Bulls in the Isthmian South East table, Saturday’s fixture carries significant weight in the play-off picture. A win for the islanders would represent a crucial three-point swing and further underline their credentials in a tightly packed promotion race.
The hosts have been formidable on home soil, losing just once all season – a 3-1 defeat to Faversham Town back in October – and arrive into the contest unbeaten in their last ten league matches.
Newly-appointed manager Reece Prestedge, who stepped up from assistant following Ryan Maxwell’s departure, has overseen that run and expects a difficult afternoon.
“To be fair I’m expecting a tough game,” Prestedge said. “They’ve come into the league and they’re doing really well. To be just outside the play-offs shows they’ve got a good structure in place.
“We’ve had injuries and players out of position, but the squad have really bought into what we’re doing, and we’re pretty much back to full strength this weekend.”
Bulls boss Elliot Powell echoed the sense of opportunity, while also acknowledging the challenge ahead, particularly with weather conditions threatening to play a part on Sittingbourne’s grass surface, explaining: “The weather’s obviously not great and they’re a grass pitch, so fingers crossed the game goes ahead.
“But this is exactly the sort of opportunity we want. Ten games, nine wins and a draw for them, if we can get something here it puts us right in the mix and helps us close the gap,” Powell continued.
The reds head into the weekend bolstered by a near full squad, with goalkeeper Euan Van Der Vliet returning after a spell out of the squad. Powell is eager to make full use of his strengthened squad at Sittingbourne, having been unable to rotate effectively during the congested Christmas period
“Over Christmas our main issue was the inability to rotate. Players were going beyond their ideal load because there were no alternatives. To have that competition back now is exactly where we want to be.”
Looking ahead, Powell sees the next six weeks as pivotal. While a demanding run of fixtures lies ahead, he believes maintaining standards now could set the platform for a strong finish once the Bulls return to home comforts in the spring.
“If we can come through this spell in a good position, then we’ve got a great chance of making up ground later on,” he said.
Saturday’s contest promises to be a key marker for both sides – a measure of the Bulls’ promotion ambitions, and another examination of Sittingbourne’s impressive home form. As usual, the match will be streamed on the Jersey Bulls FC YouTube.
Jersey Bulls Squad: Adam Trotter, Euan Van Der Vliet, Francis Lekimamati, James Carr, James Queree, James Sunley, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonathan Le Quesne, Lorne Bickley, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Pierce Roche, Rai Dos Santos, Toby Ritzema
Archie’s Predicted XI
A tough fixture this weekend may mean that Powell reverts to a 4-4-2 but I think the side will aim for all three points.
I expect Jonny Le Quesne, James Queree, Jamie Watling and Jay Giles to make up the Bulls’ defence with Euan Van Der Vliet to return in goal.
I believe the midfield will remain unchanged from last weekend’s win at Crowborough with Luke Watson, Adam Trotter and Joe Kilshaw.
I think Rai Dos Santos will regain his starting spot at left-wing with Lorne Bickley and Miguel Carvalho also in attack.
