JERSEY Bulls boss Gary Freeman was satisfied with his side’s performance in Saturday’s 3-0 triumph at Colliers Wood United, and recognised the importance of a second successive league win in a week.
After a hard-fought win at Balham on Wednesday night, goals from the increasingly influential Jack Boyle and Lorne Bickley, alongside an own goal, gave Bulls a win which moves them up to fifth place in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
‘We were very much in control of the game for large parts, and that’s much more like us. Our shape defensively was poor against Tadley and we’ve worked hard on our structures since, so to pick up two clean sheets in a row is pleasing,’ said Freeman.
‘As has been the case on a couple of occasions this season, especially in the first league game we played against Tooting, we might have put the game to bed sooner and the longer it stays at 1-0, Colliers have a chance.
‘But we’re beginning to get bodies back now and they are starting to make a difference. When you can introduce guys like Miguel Carvalho and Rai dos Santos in the final quarter, in that sort of heat, you know they’re going to get some joy and that’s exactly what happened.
‘Even though it took us time to get goals two and three, it was what we deserved. We’ve got that Tadley game out the system now and, with a free midweek, we can work with a bigger group and then look forward to being back at Springfield next weekend.’
Ever since Bulls’ promotion to Step Five, squad depth has been a topical point of discussion given the spending now seen across non-league sides. Freeman expresses just admiration for the likes of Farnham and Redhill, teams which many pundits are tipping for promotion this term.
Freeman, though, is happy with his side’s progression, confident in the group at his disposal, supplemented by Paul Renton’s under-18s group.
‘You look at what Farnham are doing, in particular, and you can’t help but be impressed by the crowds they are drawing in, the squad they’ve put together and the level they are beginning to play at,’ Freeman said.
‘And then there’s the wider context of how strong this division is. Knaphill beat a strong Step Three side in the FA Cup on Saturday, Redhill doing similar against a team from the league above.
‘Yes, all these sides have the luxury, I guess, of being able to go out and bring in a player or two when they’re short and we don’t have that.
‘But we’re in a strong position. We’ve got guys coming back into the picture who are as good as anyone in this league. Ben Le Rougetel will be training in the week and James Queree also comes back into the mix.
‘We’ve then got our youth team lads, a number of whom have been actively involved with the seniors. Boys like Barry Beatson, Leighton Gilroy and Fergus Boyle all played in the FA Cup game at Knaphill and didn’t look out of place, and that’s what this club is all about.
‘Over the last couple of years, we’ve probably been a target for lots of clubs in the league but, as other clubs have grown resource-wise, that’s changed this season. And that suits us.’
