The Bulls’ U23s made their debut at The New Defence, Horley Town’s ground, two miles north of Gatwick Airport. The county boundary divides them, Horley being in Surrey. The first team will play here on Tuesday in a Combined Counties fixture.

Gary Freeman, Kevan Nelson, Joe Kilshaw and Sol Solomon all stayed on from the replay the night before at Sutton Common Rovers. Rai Dos Santos did not have far to travel as he is studying at the University of Chichester, whereas James Carr had to cover 200 miles as he is now at Liverpool University.

Jersey kicked off attacking the Gatwick end and only a good save from Horley’s keeper, Harry Hepworth, prevented Dos Santos giving the Bulls a first minute lead.
He was not to be denied though, and after ten minutes Max Rivers played him in on the right and he swept home a first-time right foot shot to the right corner. Midway through the half and Dos Santos doubled the lead, this time with his other foot. The young Bulls were dominant and a big score seemed likely, but it was not to be.

Solomon drew a parried save from Hepworth but no one was following it up to tap home before Jake Roberts had Horley’s best chance with a header which was only just wide of Robbie Scott’s goal. Robert Martins-Figueira drew another save from Hepworth and Solomon volleyed over, before Olly Rivers, in tackling back, badly twisted his knee and had to be replaced by Hugo Vieira before the break.

Shortly after the resumption, Jersey’s profligacy in front of goal could have proved costly as Horley pulled one back. Toby Ritzema was dispossessed in his own penalty area and the ball fed inside to Jimmy Williams. Scott got a leg to his shot but it was not enough to stop it dribbling in to the left corner of the net. George Branton then had a thirty-yard crack at an equaliser that just flew over the angle of the “woodwork”.

Jersey, around the hour mark, had three good chances to restore their two-goal advantage. Dos Santos was foiled by Hepworth as he tried to round him for his hat trick and Solomon’s dink across the face of the goal hit the left post and stayed out. Solomon’s cross then set up Dos Santos in “acres” of space but he rushed this good opportunity and his half-hit first time volley went straight to Hepworth.

Reprieved, Horley then had a couple of opportunities themselves. Tommy Constable on the left had his shot parried by Scott and from the resultant corner James Carr was on hand at the near post when the ball was only half cleared and returned goalward through a ruck of players.

Hugo Vieira had a half chance blocked for a corner with twenty minutes to go. Before Solomon could take it Roberts took exception to something about Viera and Roberts “alleged” head butt saw Viera flattened in the goal. After lengthy treatment to Vieira, and a consultation with his assistant, the referee showed Roberts a straight red card and Vieira a yellow.

With ten minutes left Dos Santos squandered another hat trick opportunity as he scooped a chance over the bar. As he did so he pulled up with cramp and was replaced by John “J.J.” Lloyd. Solomon hit the side netting when attempting to bend the ball in before Max Rivers was “wiped out” by Hepworth as he raced clear. It was adjudged to be just outside the box and nothing came of the resultant free kick.

Eventually, in the fourth minute of added time, Jersey clinched the match. Luke Appleton crossed from the right for Solomon to prod home. Solomon was immediately replaced by another Vieira, Leandro, for the final few minutes which ended with Jersey camped in the Horley half.

A comfortable win, but one that with more clinical finishing would have prevented the possibility of Horley grabbing an undeserved equaliser. Then Jersey would have been subject to the vagaries of a “shoot out” directly after the ninety minutes.

Chatham Town Reserves await in the last 32 with Jersey being drawn at home. It is hoped that arrangements can be made for the match to take place at Springfield.

Horley Town U23s 1 (Jimmy Williams 49); Jersey Bulls U23s 3 (Rai Dos Santos (2) 10 & 22; Sol Solomon 90+4)

Attendance – 50

Programme – None

Horley Town U23s – Harry Hepworth, Ryan Brown, Liam Steere, George Branton, Sam Secker, Joe Carrington, Tommy Constable, Jake Roberts, Jimmy Williams, Sam Canfield (c), Jamie Skipper

Substitutes – Matt Rapson (vc) (for Skipper 78), Rio Kanuga (for Williams 90+5), Nathan Gellett (for Constable 78), Ben Allgate (not used), Tom Joseph (not used), Riley Sired-Cook (for Canfield 90+5), Sayif Ahmed (for Branton 90+1)

Claret (Light Blue)/Light Blue/Claret, GK Lime/Black/Black

Paul Hammond (Manager), Mitch Chatfield (Assistant)

Jersey Bulls U23s – Robbie Scott, Luke Appleton, James Carr, Joe Kilshaw (c), Sammy Sutcliffe, Toby Ritzema, Max Rivers, Robert Martins-Figueira, Rai Dos Santos, Olly Rivers, Sol Solomon

Substitutes – Hugo Vieira (for O. Rivers 41), John “J.J.” Lloyd (for Dos Santos 83), Leandro Vieira (for Solomon 90+5) only three substitutes

Blue/Blue/White; GK – All Yellow

Paul Renton (Manager), Gary Freeman (Assistant), Kevan Nelson (Physio.), Richard Hebert (GK Coach).

Referee – Lewis Gordon (Horsham)

Assistants – Tim Gilmore (Redhill) & Kevin Belcher (Horsham)

Cautions – Branton (HT) 64, H. Vieira (JB) 77, Hepworth (HT) 84, Ritzema (JB) 88

Dismissal – Roberts (HT) 76

Corners – Horley Town U23s (0) 2; Jersey Bulls U23s (1) 4

Player of the Match Award – Rai Dos Santos (JB)