GARY FREEMAN rued missed opportunities in front of goal and a chance to take points off their promotion rivals as Jersey Bulls succumbed to a second successive home defeat in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
They lost 2-1 to a strong Badshot Lea side, the league’s pacesetters, despite taking an early lead through Jake Prince’s impudent back-heel flick.
The Jersey Bulls manager was understandably downcast about this latest setback, feeling they should have came away with at least a draw. Yet there was no hiding from the truth that, despite their dominance over the rest of the division, Bulls do not take enough points in games against their promotion rivals.
‘There was not a lot in it,’ said Freeman. ‘I don’t mind losing like that when we’ve had a go and it’s a proper game of football.’
That was a reference to the antics of their last conquerors at Springfield, Knaphill, who were happy to try every trick in the book to frustrate Bulls.
This was, as Freeman put it, ‘two good teams’ going toe-to-toe.
But only Badshot applied the killer touch. Dean Rule equalised with a thunderbolt later in the first half and then George Hedley scrambled the winner in the second.
For all of Bulls’ endeavour, they lacked a creative spark, that key to unlock the most stubborn defences. And when chances do come their way, they need to be less wasteful. Prince, in particular, eschewing a great opportunity to bring the match back level.
‘It was a tough game. I don’t think there much between us and it was what you would expect from the two top teams going at it,’ said Freeman. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve dropped a few points and we’re behind but we’ve still got two-thirds of the season left. We’re going to have to go to their place and do what they’ve done to us.’
Bulls are now eight points behind Badshot with a game in hand, while top-of-the-table Raynes Park Vale are 14 points ahead but have played four games more.
They turn their attention to the welcome distraction of the FA Vase on Saturday when they host Athletic Newham in the third round.
