FOLLOWING an outstanding victory against Metropolitan Police U18s in the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup, Jersey Bulls U18s head back to the mainland tomorrow to take on Leatherhead U18s in the first qualifying round.
Paul Renton’s young side enjoyed a record-breaking run in the competition last year, in which they fell just one round shy of the first-round proper and a mouthwatering tie with Leyton Orient.
Leatherhead’s first team play a step above Elliot Powell’s senior Jersey Bulls side, and comprehensively beat Guernsey FC a week ago, 0-3 in their back yard.
“We know Leatherhead will be another strong test,” said Renton.
“Their first side play in the step above ours.
“But I was really pleased with how we played together as a team against Met Police U18s.
“We had to defend for long stints at a time, which most of them are not used to during their local fixtures.
“We know we have goals in this team, as they are so talented going forward, so if we can continue to defend solidly as a unit, we will give ourselves a great chance.”
As is often stressed with the young Bulls side, there is jeopardy attached to every fixture.
With the absence of league football, the cup run is their only chance to perform on the national stage and thus, to continue to compete, they must progress.
Essentially, every contest has a cup final feel.
With Jersey enjoying their best run to date in last year’s FA Youth Cup, it highlights the sustained improvement of local football.
Renton added: “We are really fortunate with the depth we have throughout the age groups.
“This current crop of 17/18 year olds are very strong and they really play for each other.
“We know whoever we take away it will be a really good team and it’s tough on the guys who haven’t had an opportunity yet.
“That’s the difficulty from a coach’s standpoint is that all the lads deserve to play.
“However, with that difficulty, comes a fortunate position, in knowing that the players who come off the bench are every bit as good.
“We know that to get another chance to compete, we need to win the game in front of us, and that starts again tomorrow.”
Renton’s strong bench certainly lived up to its billing against Met Police as three of his second-half substitutes netted, in the shape of Max Stefanki, Evan Lees and Dylan McGee.
From the side that travelled to Met Police, Ewan Brodie and Harry Ecobichon drop out, while Eddie Rothwell comes into the 14-strong squad.
Jersey Bulls U18s: Tiago Duarte, Kyle Wilson, Fergus Boyle (c), Max Stefanski, Conor O’Keeffe, Callum Gilroy, Evan Lees, Tomas Goncalves, Sonny Cassidy, Ewan Brodie, Stanley Dunne, Joey O’Toole, Will Yates, Eddie Rothwell
