Jersey Bulls feel Shore of winning, Island refs to take charge of FA Vase tie

Jersey Bulls travel to Shoreham with an eye on the first round of the FA Vase Picture: SIMON ROE

GARY FREEMAN will continue to put out the strongest team possible to get results as they prepare for their FA Vase second qualifying round match at Shoreham.

The Jersey Bulls manager only makes one change from the squad that beat Cobham last week, as Kamen Nafkha returns to replace James Carr, who has returned to university in Liverpool.

Nevertheless, Freeman acknowledges that players who have had limited game time so far deserve their chance after working hard in training.

‘It’s difficult. You want to go into all the matches as strong as you can. But it is a long season so players will get their chance,’ said Freeman.

‘However, we can’t afford to make changes for changes sake.

‘There are boys doing well in training and we’ve got to try and keep all of our core group of 18 to 20 players happy. It’s a challenge. It’s a strong squad and we’ve got to look at ways to help players get the game-time they want.’

Victory will send Bulls to the first round proper of the competition, where their run ended last season with a defeat to Fareham Town on penalties.

Shoreham play in the division below Jersey on the non-league pyramid, in Division One of the Southern Combination league, and are currently in fourth place having won four and drawn two of their opening six games.

Meanwhile, up the A23 from the Sussex coast and just a couple of miles from Gatwick Airport, Jersey officials Gareth Walker, Toni Cardoso and Paulo Franco will take charge of the FA Vase match between Horley Town and visitors Holmesdale.

It is the first time a qualified Jersey-based referee and their assistants have officiated at an official match in England for a number of years.

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