Jersey visited play-off rivals A.F.C. Whyteleafe (16-5-7 72-34) who were one point ahead and with two games in hand over Jersey. Jersey hoped to continue their unbeaten run and do the double over Whyteleafe having won 1-0 at Springfield in October, a continuation of the solitary goal matches between the sides. Jersey brought Francis Lekimamati into the squad in place of the unavailable Lorne Bickley. The heavy scoring Whyteleafe have been on a poor run since mid December with only one win from their previous seven matches.

Joe Kilshaw and James Sunley were brought into the starting line up in place of Bickley and Luke Watson, the latter being on the bench along with Lekimamati.Whyteleafe brought in Hani Hechachena and Frankie Moralee, both of whom started, along with Ryan Gondoh, a substitute last time out. Helge Orome, Jamie Mascolland Eniola Hassan all dropped to the bench.

A cagey opening first half as befits this fixture with the high bouncing 3G pitch not making creative football easy to play. James Queree made an outstanding block near the penalty spot when Daniel Bennett was in a dangerous position after eight minutes and twenty minutes later Rai Dos Santos swung in Jersey’s second corner low to the near post which Slavomir Huk did not gather, with the loose ball eventually cleared.

Just before the hour a series of Jersey corners led to a powerful Jay Giles cross shot being deflected just wide of the left post by Huk. Shortly afterwards Toby Ritzema broke through the middle but pulled his shot just wide of the left post as he was tackled by Corey Holder. Another corner to the far post saw a Jamie Watling header pushed away by Huk. Jersey had a couple more half chances but with three minutes to go Euan Van der Vliet had to make his first save from a strong twenty yards shot by Bennett, with Giles clearing away the loose ball for a corner before substitute Helge Orome could reach it. Whyteleafe piled on some late pressure over the last ten minutes winning three of their four corners in the match, but the Jersey defenceheld firm to ensure the honours were shared.

A.F.C. Whyteleafe – Slavomir Huk, Hani Hechachena (wore 17), Mannie Mensah (wore 14), Frankie Moralee (wore 19), Craig Braham-Barrett (wore 22), Corey Holder (c), Daniel Bennett, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Moses Emmanuel, Ryan Gondoh (wore 23), Palace Francis
Substitutes – 2. Helge Orome (for Mensah 74), 5. Aaron Goode (for Moralee 66), 10. Mason Saunders-Henry (for Francis 86), 15. Jamie Mascoll (for Hechachena 86), 16. Eniola Hassan (for Emmanuel 66)

All Dark Green (Gold trim); GK All Yellow

Ennio Gonnella (Manager), Danny Rose (Assistant), Kelly Waters (Coach), Milvin Boardi (Analyst), Lydia Passera-Hughes (Medical)

Jersey Bulls – Euan Van der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne, Jay Giles (wore 14), James Queree (c), Jamie Watling (wore 15), Toby Ritzema, Adam Trotter (wore 12), Joe Kilshaw, James Sunley (wore 20), Rai Dos Santos, Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 3. James Carr (for Sunley 79), 5. Luke Campbell (not used), 7. Fraser Barlow (for Dos Santos 90), 16. Luke Watson (not used), 21. Francis Lekimamati (for Carvalho 81)

Red/White/Red; GK All Light Blue

Elliot Powell (Manager), Dan Garton (Assistant), Dave Kennedy (Coach), Richard Hebert (GK Coach), Karl Benest (Kit), Nikki Nicolle (Medical)

Formations (R to L)

A.F.C. Whyteleafe (4-1-4-1) 1; 17-19-8-22; 8; 23-14-7-11; 9
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 1; 2-4-15-14; 8; 11-12-8-20; 10

Officials – Robert Ablitt (Fareham), Nicholas Mason (Aldershot), Edward “Ed” Alderslade (Fareham)

Cautions – Moses Emmanuel (AFCW) 60, Mannie Mensah (AFCW) 65, Euan Van der Vliet (JB) 70 dissent, Hani Hechachena (AFCW) 82, Adam Trotter (JB) 90+4

Corners – A.F.C. Whyteleafe (0) 4; Jersey Bulls (2) 8

Assist(s) – none

Player of the Match – Adam Trotter

Added Time – 0.20 & 5.40 (6.00)