Teams stayed ends, Jersey kicked off attacking the South-East end 2.01.00

Jersey travelled to Horley for the second of their six fixtures in the play-offs for promotion. Horley still have one match to play in the “qualifying” part of the season but are likely to end up sixth. Their current record was 5-2-3 28-17 with their losses being in their opening match against South Park and then the top two Meadow Sports and Jersey Bulls with 11 of the 17 goals they conceded being in those three fixtures. In late November Jersey had beaten them 2-0 when they found Horley to be a well organised youthful side that were difficult to break down but with little threat going forward so Jersey had a comfortable, if not convincing, victory on that occasion.

Poppy Benest and Sophie Thornton replaced Natasha Keen and Amy Guthrie in the squad that has won at Reigate last week. Benest replaced Keen in the starting line up with the other change being Emily Le Page starting in place of Taylor Smythe.Smythe was on the bench along with Thornton and Coco Leonard.

The game was stop/start as Horley came out intent on slowing matters down and not allowing Jersey to find any rhythm. Jersey struggled to control the high bouncing ball and were guilty of giving up possession at important times, inviting pressure and restricting their attacking endeavours. However, a determined gritty performance ensured the three points. Jersey had to wait until the 18th minute before opening their account when Anita Tavares slipped in Emily Le Page who made no mistake. They doubled the lead just after ten minutes later when Lauren Queree played through Tavares who got past her defender and smashed it home. A third arrived in added time when Leah Morris set Holly Sundby free and she squared it for Sam Silva-Pinto to apply the finish. The hosts came back it into the second half when they reduced the lead from the penalty spot and they then hit the bar with another in the fourth minute of added time.

Horley Town – Mia Patton, Brooke Bowerman, Anna Harbinson, Lucy Neill, Lucie Wynn, Daisy Olley, Keira Parker, Fallon McNulty (c), Pia Williams, Maisie Neale, Rosie Rowan
Rolling Substitutes (all used) – 12. Cerys Williams, 14. Lily Keene, 15. Ruth Appolos, 16. Jayda Palmer-Lockhart, 17. Anais Escalona

Claret/Claret/Light Blue; GK All Purple

Management – Courtney Bartlett (Manager), Jemma Lindfield and Kerry Parker (Coaches), Layla Young (GK Coach)

Jersey Bulls – Tayah Vasse, Tiffany Sundby, Lauren Queree (wore 16), Aine Ruth (wore 12), Danielle Bradshaw, Poppy Benest, Emily Le Page, Holly Sundby (c), Anita Tavares, Leah Morris, Samantha Silva-Pinto
Substitutes – 14. Taylor Smythe (for Le Page 61), 15. Coco Leonard (not used), 18. Sophie Thornton (not used), only three substitutes

White (Purple sleeves)/Purple (White side panels)/White, GK All Light Blue

Chad Morris (Manager), Harry Walker (Assistant)

Formations (R to L)
Horley Town (4-4-2) 1; 2-5-4-3: 11-6-10-7; 8-9
Jersey Bulls (4-4-2) 1; 2-12-5-16; 6-8-10-7; 9-11

Officials – Lee Murphy (Woking) (plus club line persons)

Caution(s) – none

Corners – Horley Town (1) 3; Jersey Bulls (2) 3

Assist(s) – Anita Tavares, Lauren Queree, Holly Sundby

Player of the Match – (voted by opposition) - TBA

Opposition Player of the Match – Brooke Bowerman

Added Time – 5.15 & 5.45 (11.00)