JERSEY BULLS manager Gary Freeman hopes their FA Vase first-qualifying-round tie at Old Varndeanians will be the start of a ‘good run’ in the competition.
The club are focusing on the Vase this season, having pulled out of the FA Cup, with the belief they could go far with a potential trip to Wembley for the final at the end.
However, it is a long journey to get there with nine rounds to negotiate first, starting with the trip to Brighton to face the Southern Combination Premier Division side.
Founded in 1929 for former pupils of Varndean School, the south coast club struggled last season, finishing 18th out of the 20 places in their league. However, they have started this season with an even one win, one draw and a loss.
Freeman and his side will want to improve on last season’s attempt in the FA Vase where they lost on penalties to Fareham Town in the first-round proper.
‘It’s a great competition with an unbelievable prize at the end of it,’ said Freeman. ‘Every game is difficult.
‘Last year was disappointing and we probably should have won on the day but we didn’t take our chances.
‘We want to have a good run in it. We want to go looking for a game on Saturday.’
Having not played a game last weekend, Freeman says his players are in good shape for the game. Luke Campbell is still missing with injury but is back in training and is expected to make his comeback within the next two weeks. Jonny Le Quesne also misses out through injury but teenager Pierce Roche will keep his place in the side as Bulls’ custodian despite first-choice goalkeeper Euan Van Der Vliet having returned from holiday.
‘It’s a good opportunity for him to play in a big game,’ added Freeman. ‘It’s important that we’ve got that competition for places. Pierce and Robbie Scott are two youngsters who are really keen and want to push on. We want to give them that opportunity when we can because we have confidence in them.’
Freeman admits he knows very little of his opponents who play at Withdean Stadium, the former home ground of Brighton & Hove Albion.
‘They’ve had a steady start to the season but if we perform the way we know we can then we should be okay,’ he continued.
‘Nothing is a given, as we found out last year, so we’ve got to be at our best and hope that will be enough.’
