JERSEY Bulls returned to winning ways in style as they marked their return to Springfield with a 4-2 victory over Ascot United in front of 886 home supporters.
On a beautiful October afternoon, Elliot Powell’s side produced another free-scoring display to move up to fourth in the Isthmian South Central Division, while remaining one of just four unbeaten sides in the division.
After a hectic run of away fixtures, the Bulls wasted little time settling back into familiar surroundings.
Lorne Bickley opened the scoring after just six minutes, racing onto James Sunley’s looping through ball before calmly slotting into the bottom corner.
Ascot responded almost immediately, Fope Deru curling a superb 20-yard effort into the far corner, but the visitors’ joy was short-lived.
Bickley restored the lead five minutes later after Sunley once again played a key role, the forward holding off his man before drilling his second of the afternoon past Kie Plumley, marking the striker’s seventh goal of the campaign.
The Bulls continued to threaten and extended their advantage in the 21st minute when Jack Lumsden nodded home his first goal of the season, thanks to a sumptuous cross from the left boot of Jay Giles.
Sunley was at the heart of almost everything good from the hosts and completed his hat-trick of assists shortly after half-time.
Toby Ritzema took advantage of his pace to drive into the box before firing a left-footed effort beyond Plumley to make it 4-1.
Ascot pulled one back in the 78th minute when substitute Chukz Uzor volleyed home from a Ricio Bullard-Jeffrey cross, with the Bulls disappointed by the ease with which the goal arrived.
However, Powell’s side comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure three points and continue their unbeaten start.
There could have been more for the Bulls on another afternoon where the goals flowed, but they will be particularly pleased to have returned to Springfield with a convincing victory.
A full match reaction will be available in Monday’s edition of the JEP.
