JERSEY Bulls’ run of 22 league fixtures unbeaten may have come to an end at the hands of AFC Whyteleafe, but a proud Elliot Powell said that his lads “can take an awful lot of heart” from the match.
In front of 1,033 fans – a record league attendance at Springfield Stadium – the league leaders reversed the 0-1 result from earlier in the season, with a moment of class from star frontman Jamie Mascoll.
His right-footed volley into the top corner proved the only goal on the day, in a high-class affair, which the standard of football on show far exceeded what we have come to expect from Step 5 football.
One might condone Powell for feeling slightly deflated after suffering his first-ever league defeat in charge of the Bulls, but the 26-year-old was proud and pragmatic in the aftermath.
“We haven’t taken anything from the game points wise, but we can take an awful lot of heart from that,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, they’re the best side I’ve coached against by a distance.
“They moved the ball incredibly well, asked multiple questions of us and defended their box very well.”
Powell added in jest: “The captain [Corey Holder] has got a lot to say for himself.But I thought he was very good at the back.
“On another day, maybe on of our chances finds the back of the net, but they had chances to add a couple more as well, so it is what it is.
“What a great game of football it was. The crowd got really into it in the last 20 minutes and in front of a huge support, it was a great occasion to be a part of.
“Ultimately, we have to bounce back quickly now. It was a great unbeaten run, but there is a lot of work still to do.”
While Whyteleafe were the aggressors for the majority of the contest, Jersey acquitted themselves well, but for a tiny lapse in concentration leading to the goal.
Those in red battled away in the last 20 minutes to snatch something from the game, and had their chances.
The best of which fell to Lorne Bickley, fresh from the treatment table, whose outstretched leg was just a whisker away from converting Rai Dos Santos’ whipped cross after 80 minutes.
Powell added: “We still have games in hand, but it’s up to us to go and get points on the board in them.
“Any sort of performance close to what we managed this game, then I have no doubt we will get points out of those spare games.
“We came up short today, but there is a long way to go and that has to be the focus.
“It’s hard to believe that was a step 5 football match. I thought it looked a lot better than that at times.
“Coming up against three lads up top on a grand a week. You’re not going to get that often.
“I think we managed the test really well and we were unfortunately done by a moment of quality.
“We haven’t defended the transition well, which is disappointing, but overall, I think we gave a great account of ourselves.”
Captain James Querée had his hands full, along with veteran Luke Campbell, Harry Curtis and Fraser Barlow in the Bulls defence.
For the most part, the back line answered the bell and the sheer jubilation shown by Whyteleafe’s contingent at full-time epitomised just how hard they had to work to take home all three points.
“It’s really important to not lose sight of things,” said the skipper.
“Powelly said before the game that we need to have perspective.
“It’s a game of football and these things happen.
“The lads finished the game strong and we can take a lot from that.
“Naturally, there’s disappointment now, because we are competitive and hold very high standards.
“But we are a close-knit bunch and we’ll bounce back.
“Defeats are part of the game. We will reflect on things and come back ready and prepared to take three points at Tadley next game out.”
What will offer Jersey plenty of comfort, is the recent additions back to the squad of Lorne Bickley and Adam Trotter, both of whom were key cogs to the side’s promotion push from last campaign.
Bickley came on 15 minutes from time to make his first start after injury, ironically since the reverse fixture against Whyteleafe in October.
Aside from the result, the fixture had a much deeper impact.
When asked about the record league attendance, Querée’s response was heartfelt.
“I’m choking up a little bit to be honest.”
“The crowd have always been exceptional. We are a community club and we do it for the Island.
“Every single lad in that dressing room feels privileged to represent this club.
“You can see other guys around the league being paid, but we do it for our Island, ourselves and our home. That’s more than money can buy.
“We’ve been in this league long enough now and learned a lot over the past couple of years.
“We’re all focused on getting promoted and this is a real test of character to bounce back and make sure it’s nothing more than a blip.”
