THE Jersey Bulls steam train continues to pick up momentum, as Elliot Powell’s side travel to face “their toughest test of the season”.
Cobham, who sit one place below the Bulls in fifth, returned a magnificent scoreline in their last outing, becoming the first team to beat league leaders Redhill this season by a mammoth 4-1 scoreline.
However, despite manager Powell not being physically present for their last fixture at home against Corinthian-Casuals last Saturday, his Bulls secured their eighth win of the season and continued their remarkable unbeaten run this campaign.
The Islanders currently sit fourth in the league, well inside the play-off places and remain one of only two unbeaten sides left in the division, alongside Fleet Town.
Jersey have big names either side of them, but hold four games in hand over Knaphill in third, and three games in hand over both AFC Whyteleafe in second and league leaders Redhill.
Considering the injury problems facing Powell and his coaching staff at the beginning of the season, to remain unbeaten and concede a mere six goals in their first 11 games is a superb achievement.
Powell said: “We’ve had to work really hard through these opening couple of months of the season.
“The injuries and unavailabilities have forced our hand a bit in terms of how we’ve shaped up and with who in which positions, but the boys have responded outstandingly.”
Good teams win games when they’re not at full strength, and the Bulls seem to fit the bill at the moment.
Their past five games have all been victories by either one or two goals, while having not conceded since 10 September in their 2-2 draw against Sheerwater.
“All the boys know how important the defensive side of how we shape up is,” continued Powell.
“We wanted to have a more potent offence this season, but that has to come from a solid foundation.
“Considering the number of defensive options we’ve had unavailable, I think we have done brilliantly.
“The return of Euan [Van Der Vliet] has been massive; he’s one of the best keepers in the league and he’s already saved us several points with some pretty stunning saves.
“That was a really tough choice to have to make, to leave Pierce [Roche] out at the start of the season. But Euan is repaying that faith in folds, his training ethic is fantastic and he has been hugely valuable to us so far.
“Also having a leader like James [Querée] at the back always helps with organisation. He’s an experienced head and has the respect of the whole group, so anyone coming into that defensive line knows they can trust him.”
At the other end of the pitch, Powell will once again miss his top marksman, Lorne Bickley, sidelined with injury pending the results of an MRI scan.
The star striker sits just shy of bringing up his century of goals in a Bulls shirt, but could miss up to 12 weeks if the scan results are unfavourable.
The return of Karl Hinds, however, has been a revelation.
The St Clement FC striker, who has regularly topped the bill of leading domestic goalscorers, has taken to this league like a duck to water, with three goals and three assists in his first seven appearances.
Powell concluded: “Cobham will be a very-well-put-together side and they’ll be a real tough test for us, especially away from home.
“They have a good pitch and will look to play football.
“If we turn up on our best form, we could take a massive step forwards in our season.”
The Bulls are set to travel to Leg O’Mutton Field in London for a scheduled 3pm kick-off tomorrow.
Elliot Corbel – Predicted Bulls XI
The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” springs to mind this week. Considering the defensive record the Bulls currently have, as well as a bang-in-form front three, if there are no extra injuries, I see no need to change anything from last weekend’s solid 2-0 victory over Corinthian-Casuals. Karl Hinds has been a revelation this season, with three goals and three assists in his first seven appearances proving invaluable in the absence of Lorne Bickley. Rai Dos Santos impressed after starting last game and getting a goal, as did young-gun Seaney McColgan up top, and with the lightening feet of Miguel Goncalves causing all sorts of problems on the wing. Elliot Powell mentioned Cobham have a 3G surface, meaning these excellent ball players can look to gain control of possession, play front-foot football and extend their record winning streak to six.
Predicted Squad: Euan Van Der Vliet, James Querée (c), Fraser Barlow, Fergus Boyle, Jack Boyle, Jack Lumsden, Joe Kilshaw, Karl Hinds, Kieran Lester, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Sammy Sutcliffe, Seaney McColgan, Toby Ritzema
