Horley Town 1
McNulty
Jersey Bulls 3
Le Page 18′, Tavares 29′, Silva-Pinto 45+2′
HT Score: 0-3
Player of the Match: Tiffany Sundby
JERSEY BULLS WOMEN extended their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 3–1 victory away to Horley Town Women on Sunday, overcoming difficult conditions and a physical contest to secure their 13th consecutive league win.
The Bulls, who sit top of Surrey Division 1 Group A, were forced to adapt their usual passing style on a dry, bobbly surface that made fluid football difficult. But they showed another side to their game — one that manager Chad Morris was particularly pleased with.
“As they were at Springfield earlier in the season, Horley were a well organised and physical outfit,” he said, referring to the Bulls’ 2-0 home win over Horley back in November. “This led to an even more physical game than the win we had against them last time.”
Despite the challenging pitch, the visitors made a strong start and took the lead in the 18th minute through the returning Emily Le Page.
Recognising the need to adjust their approach, Morris added: “The pitch conditions were very dry and bobbly, so we knew we had to adapt our style of play to match them and I thought we did that really well. Good teams show they can play one more style of football and we did that excellently.”
That adaptability paid dividends as the Bulls doubled their lead on 29 minutes, with prolific forward Anita Tavares continuing her push for the golden boot with a clinical finish.
With the game becoming increasingly physical, the Bulls continued to lean into a more direct approach. “We knew we needed to get the ball up the pitch into areas where the pitch wasn’t too bad, so there was no passing the ball around the back or square balls,” Morris explained.
That strategy proved decisive late in the first half, as Sam Silva-Pinto made it 3–0 in added time, capitalising on effective link-up play to give the visitors a commanding advantage at the break.
“This worked in our favor though as it led to two of our goals, including some good link up play,” Morris continued. “With that came a requirement to win the second ball which we also did really well.”
Horley responded after the interval, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot through captain and top scorer Fallon McNulty. They were handed a late chance to reduce the deficit further but missed another penalty in the final minute, ensuring the Bulls saw out the win comfortably.
“We matched them physically player for player and I think we were deserving of our win against a tough opposition,” Morris added. “Overall, it was a good performance considering the conditions and we can look ahead to Ash United next full of confidence.”
The result keeps Jersey Bulls Women unbeaten in the league this season and firmly on course for promotion in their debut campaign in the English football pyramid.
Squads
Horley Town: Mia Patton, Brooke Bowerman, Anna Harbison, Lucy Neill, Lucie Wynn, Daisy Olley, Kiera Parker, Fallon McNulty (c), Pia Williams, Maisie Neale, Rosie Rowan; Substitutes: Cerys Williams, Lily Keene, Ruth Appolos, Jayda Palmer-Lockhart, Anais Escalona
Jersey Bulls: Tayah Vasse, Tiffany Sundby, Lauren Queree, Aine Ruth, Danielle Bradshaw, Poppy Benest, Emily Le Page, Holly Sundby (c), Anita Tavares, Leah Morris, Sam Silva-Pinto; Substitutes: Taylor Smythe (for Le Page 61′), Coco Leonard, Sophie Thornton
Surrey Division 1 Group A
