THERE are just two changes to the Jersey Bulls squad that dismantled Spelthorne Sports for tonight’s away fixture at Epsom & Ewell [KO 7.45pm], as Ben Le Rougetel slots in for Luke Campbell (work commitments), while James Sunley replaces Toby Ritzema (rested).
Meanwhile, Luke Coutanche is also named, adding an additional body to the travelling squad, who will hope that their journey to the mainland is more straightforward than their opening fixture.
Elliot Powell’s men hit six past their opponents last Saturday to begin their 2024/25 Combined Counties Premier South campaign in style, and the new boss will be keen for more of the same this evening in Tolworth.
While Jersey enjoyed the dream start, Epsom & Ewell’s experience was strikingly different.
Also a “home” game [the mainlanders play at Corinthian-Casuals ground], they were crushed 5-0, playing nearly 60 minutes of the contest short-handed after Adam Grant Green was sent for an early bath.
Powell said: “Tonight’s a real opportunity for us to keep up the momentum from Saturday.
“Last season, we started slowly and we are keen to put that right and avoid needing to play catch up.
“We know that Epsom were well beaten last time out, but we are not taking them lightly at all.
“They defeated Step Four opposition in the shape of Phoenix Sports in an FA Cup Prelim round a week ago.
“If they can grab a win like that, then we are aware they can be dangerous.
“We want to build from what we started against Spelthorne, but we know it won’t be easy.
“The lads are all really motivated and we want to return to Springfield this weekend for our first home game with six points from six and the wind at our backs.”
The beginning of the season offers little respite for the Islanders, getting the campaign underway on Saturday, before another away fixture tonight, and returning home this coming Saturday for a brutal three-game stretch in just seven days.
As is always the case, the Premier Division South so often proves a war of attrition, and Powell will need a whole squad effort if Bulls are to attain that highly coveted promotion place come May.
Steven’s predicted line-up [[boxed off with predicted line-up picture]]
As is often the case with an opening fixture of a campaign, we were exposed to the early signs of how life under Elliot Powell will be. An aggressive, front-foot approach and a desire for goal contributions from several different avenues seems the point of emphasis, and one that the new boss will be set on implementing against the weaker teams in the division. With that being said, I have swapped Kilshaw out of the holding role for Luke Watson, as I expect the former to press up the pitch after his brace from that position against Spelthorne. Toby Ritzema is rested, so a like-for-like swap for James Sunley in the middle looks likely. Elsewhere, I see Fraser Barlow starting left wing again, with the only other change being that of Ben Le Rougetel assuming centre-back duties alongside captain James Querée in the absence of Luke Campbell.
Jersey Bulls squad: Euan Van Der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne, Benjamin Le Rougetel, Harry Curtis, James Querée (c), Jay Giles, James Sunley, Jay Dos Santos, Luke Watson, Joe Kilshaw, Fraser Barlow, Miguel Carvalho, Seaney McColgan, Luke Coutanche, Lorne Bickley
