THE Jersey Bulls sign off their regular league season tomorrow with a home clash against Hastings United at Springfield Stadium (3pm), as attention begins to turn towards the play-offs.
Having secured their place in the top five last weekend, Elliot Powell’s side head into the fixture in a strong position, knowing a victory, coupled with favourable results elsewhere, could yet earn them a home semi-final.
AFC Whyteleafe travel to Herne Bay, while AFC Croydon Athletic face Sheppey United, leaving the door slightly ajar for the Bulls to climb further up the standings.
Powell admitted his side have timed their run well.
“We’ve been on a good run,” he said. “We knew we needed to cash in on a favourable run-in and credit to the boys, they’ve done that and built on the platform we set earlier in the year.”
With a potential semi-final on Tuesday and a final next Friday, squad management becomes a key consideration but Powell insists momentum remains the priority.
“It’s a strong, competitive squad and I think any of the 16 could start,” he added. “But we want to win the game and put pressure on the teams around us.”
Springfield has been something of a fortress this season, with the Bulls conceding just 15 goals at home, the sixth-best defensive record across Step 4 and Powell acknowledged the importance of turning that into a play-off advantage.
“Making teams travel to us at short notice would be huge,” he said. “It’s a big pitch, and we’d back ourselves, but we know it might be difficult to get there.”
Tomorrow’s opponents, Hastings United, arrive sitting 16th, but with the second-highest average attendance in the division behind the Bulls, further underlining the value of home support in the closing stages of the season.
For Powell, the focus is clear: keep the rhythm.
“It’s really important we try and keep that going on Saturday,” he said. “We’re in a good moment, we’re taking our chances, and it’s a positive place to be. If we can carry that into the next few games, it puts us in a strong position.”
Regardless of what unfolds elsewhere, a final home outing and the promise of more to come ensures Springfield should provide a fitting stage as the Bulls prepare for the business end of their season.
Jersey Bulls provisional squad: Adam Trotter, Euan Van Der Vliet, Francis Lekimamati, Fraser Barlow, Jamie Watling, James Sunley, James Querée, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Harry Curtis, Lorne Bickley, Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Stan Dunne, Toby Ritzema, Will Yates
Archie’s Predicted XI
Having come so close so many time this season, I’m determined to get one more full house before the end of the season.
This week however, my guess is as good as anyone’s. With play-offs looming, the squad
is going to have a different look, and here is how I’d line up.
Euan Van der Vliet to return in goal with Fraser Barlow shifted to left-back, Jamie Watling and James Querée at centre half with Harry Curtis returning to right back.
A midfield of James Sunley, Joe Kilshaw and Luke Watson. Finally, my front three consists of Francis Lekimamati off the left, Lorne Bickley through the middle and Miguel Carvalho at right wing.
