“We showed immense character.”
Those were the sentiments of relieved Jersey Bulls manager Gary Freeman, following his side’s 3-0 home win over Colliers Wood United, in which Lorne Bickley bagged a hat-trick.
Facing Combined Counties Premier Division South’s bottom-placed outfit at home sounds like it should have been an easy win for a side in the play-off spots.
However, the Islanders made hard work of it after being reduced to ten men just one minute into the match when defender Harry Curtis, as the last man, brought down the opposition striker and saw red.
“The early red was a bit worrying,” said Freeman. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a red card that early in a match before, but it was the right decision.
“I thought we were set for a long afternoon, but full credit to our boys for rallying together after that.
“We knew chances would come and we just had to be patient.
“Ben [Le Rougetel] made a real difference when he came on. He ran his socks off and provided excellent control in the back line after the sending off.”
Bulls star forward Lorne Bickley has hit a real hot streak of late. He was the match winner earlier in the week with two goals, including a last minute penalty against Epsom & Ewell, and opened the scoring in this match as well to give the hosts a slender 1-0 lead at half time.
Freeman added: “We adjusted really well after the red card and half time gave us a chance to discuss the changes we needed to make more clearly.
“I think Lorne was fantastic again and has really hit a little purple patch in front of goal.
“It gives the rest of the team so much confidence knowing their front man is finishing chances.
“But one of the biggest moments of the match for were the two outstanding saves from Pierce [Roche], particularly the one just before half time.
“We only had a one goal lead at both of those times so they were crucial saves for us, a goal for them could have completely changed the complex of the match.”
Bickley took the plaudits with two more trademark striker goals to seal a superb hat-trick and his 20th league goal of the season, now second in the division’s golden boot race.
The imposing number nine said after bagging himself the match ball: “I’m delighted we pulled off the three points.
“Of course it’s always nice to be on the scoresheet as a striker, it really makes me feel confident for the next game knowing I’m in good finishing form.
“If my goals can help the team win games, then that’s where my satisfaction comes from, that’s the most important thing for me.
“I’m not a big looker at the league or individual player tables so I’m not too focussed on the golden boot, all I care about is promotion.”
The Bulls are now unbeaten in their last four, with their manager adding: “I feel we have received some unfair criticism recently.
“It’s a long season and teams go through up and down phases, we cannot be perfect all the time.
“But the six points we have picked up from the last two games, considering the positions we were in in both matches, they have been massively important.
“We’re starting to build that momentum again just at the right time.”
