A WIN, a place in the next round and a return for a number of key personnel.
Bulls full-back Jay Giles was more than satisfied with his side’s work in their 2-1 FA Vase win at Holyport on Saturday, Lorne Bickley’s late winner booking the Islanders a spot in today’s third-round draw.
Despite enjoying much of the ball and creating a number of chances, Gary Freeman’s men left it late at Summerleaze, but for Giles the primary target was always to progress, by whatever means.
“It’s funny actually because we’ve probably found being away from home a little easier this season in terms of getting results,” he said.
“We knew what to expect from Holyport. They tried to turn us as much as possible and I thought we dealt with that pretty well for most of the game.
“This is a good level of football and teams are always going to possess a threat and they showed theirs in the goal they scored.
“But we back ourselves against any team at this level and we knew that if we stayed patient, the chances would come. When you have guys like Lorne (Bickley) and Fraser (Barlow) in your team, you know that eventually one will go in, and so we’ll take that.
“Was it pretty? Not really. But for us it was about winning this game and building a cup run. We loved the ride last yearwe probably didn’t do ourselves justice in the game at Newport Pagnell. We’re still alive, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Bulls boss Gary Freeman has had to contend with a number of injuries and unavailability in the opening months of the season, but his starting side in Berkshire contained no less than five centurions in terms of appearances, Giles one of three in the back four alone.
And Giles acknowledged the importance of that abundance of know how in getting the Bulls through a sticky 15-minute period in the second half, during which Holyport pegged the visitors back through a Kritpac Dzimba goal.
“You look at guys like James Queree, Luke Campbell, Euan (van der Vliet) in goal, Fraser Barlow and Jonny Le Quesne, and they’ve been in these types of situations so many times in their careers.
“When you’re able to draw on that experience, it helps. As a group we’ve been through a lot not only in a Bulls shirt, but also in club football and representing the Island. I think that’s probably unique to us when compared to teams over on the mainland.
“We also have a lot of talented young boys coming through, like Miguel (Carvalho) and James Carr, so we have a nice blend. They’re doing our running for us, which is nice, but the brains trust certainly direct things.”
Giles wouldn’t be drawn into who he would like to face in the third round, only revealing a home tie at Springfield as being something the Island could rally round.
“Our home form hasn’t been as good as we’d have liked and that’s something we need to sort, but cup football is different.
“There are lots of really good teams in this competition, and we fancy giving any of them a game. I feel a game on the Island makes it an event and that has to be an advantage.”
