WITH just three games remaining in their debut campaign in the Isthmian South East Division, it’s safe to say the Jersey Bulls have exceeded expectations this season.
Tomorrow they travel again to face a Beckenham Town side, 21st in the division and scrapping to avoid relegation. The difference between the two side’s current fortunes could not be more stark.
A quick glance at the league table makes for a curious read, there surely can’t be many divisions where the three promoted sides occupy three of the top four spots within the final month of the campaign.
Yet, to their credit, both fellow promoted teams AFC Croydon Athletic and AFC Whyteleafe have secured their spots in the playoffs, and the Bulls can all but add their names alongside them with a win tomorrow.
Fans will remember the first game of the season, where an excited Bulls outfit travelled to a seasoned Margate side and battled out an impressive 1-1 draw. The words from manager Elliot Powell that day were of how well they had fought to earn a point against such a strong side at this level.
Now, as we stand, the Bulls have one arm out of the metaphorical car window peering at Margate in their rearview mirror.
2026 has been a remarkable year to date for the men in red. A jam-packed Christmas period of seven games in 23 days concluded in a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Ashford United. However, since returning on January 3 with a home 2-0 win over Merstham, a ruthless 15-game unbeaten run, including 11 wins, has soared them up the table.
“The group is in a great place at the moment,” said assistant manager, Dan Garton, who has been by Powell’s side since the beginning of their tenure.
“We’re flying high at the moment, the confidence in the group is really strong and our record this year in particular is a reflection of that. We know that we’re near enough guaranteed a playoff spot if we win tomorrow, as well as an outside shot of a home playoff if we win all of our final three games and other results go our way.”
Tomorrow’s opponents Beckenham Town have struggled this season. Their record of just seven wins in 39 games is backed up by their defensive record, the second worst in the division only behind already relegated East Grinstead Town.
They will also be hoping to rectify some of the damage done last time out, where they were battered 7-0 at home by mid-table side Eastbourne Town, which included being 4-0 down within just 18 minutes.
However, one of their shining moments of a difficult season came in the reverse fixture, where they held the Bulls to a 1-1 draw at Springfield Stadium, in a game they actually led for much of the game before a Lorne Bickley equaliser in the final 20 minutes somewhat saved the Bulls’ blushes.
The Bulls travel tomorrow a new animal though, Bickley in particular in red hot form having passed the 20 goal mark for the season last weekend, including 17 in the league. A strong squad sees all the familiar names, including the return of skipper James Querée.
The Bulls’ run in has been a generous one to date compared to their playoff rivals, as Garton continued: “As a management team we always knew that we had a more favourable run towards the back end and we always tried to keep perspective of this when we were further down the league table. We’re now getting into the proper business end of the league positioning and are excited to see where we can get too.
“The vibe in the group is good, we just wanted to be in and around it at this stage of the year. We’ve by far exceeded any expectations and that is credit to the whole squad for their efforts. Whatever happens from now is a bonus for us and this group have done themselves and their island proud.”
With AFC Whyteleafe hosting league leaders Three Bridges tomorrow also, a win for the Bulls could close the gap even closer to third spot.
Action from Eden Park Avenue tomorrow between Beckenham Town and Jersey Bulls is scheduled for a 3pm kick off.
Jersey Bulls squad: James Querée (c), Adam Trotter, Euan Van Der Vliet, Fraser Barlow, Harry Curtis, James Sunley, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Lorne Bickley, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Stan Dunne, Toby Ritzema
