For their last fixture of 2025 Jersey played their final “catch up” match as they had been due to host Ashford on 4th October, but Ashford were involved in an F.A. Trophy tie on that date. After their two recent wins Jersey were up to 7th, whilst Ashford were 13th with a 8-4-11 47-45 record. They had beaten Hastings by the only goal of the game on Saturday and the week before had only lost to table toppers Three Bridges 4-5 after conceding a 96th minute penalty. The teams will meet again in four and a half weeks.

Jersey were missing three team members who were still on their festive holidays - Jonny Le Quesne, Lorne Bickley and James Sunley. Luke Campbell returned to replace James Carr. The youthful bench had had an almost complete overhaul with just Stan Dunne retaining his place and Casey Nixon making his debut. Captain, James Queree was making his 200th appearance.

Ashford made three changes and replaced Joseph Taylor, Mike West and Harrison Hume, the latter who acted as a coach, with Saturday substitutes Joe Lewis, Ollie Bate and Noah Carney.

Jersey had Toby Ritzema in the striker’s role again and made the stronger start. After ten minutes Jack Lumsden and Joe Kilshaw played a one-two that split the Ashford defence only for Lumsden to blast the opportunity over. Ashford responded by gaining their only corner of the match, which came to naught. Francis Lekimamati put in a telling low cross which Harry Brooks smothered and Luke Campbell had a couple of chances blocked.

The timbre changed just before half time when Jack Dixon gave the visitors the lead with a “worldy”. Chesting down a clearance twenty-five yards out right of centre he hit a cross shot volley into the top left corner. Jersey responded with Miguel Carvalho and Francis Lekimamati combining to bring another save out of Brooks.

Ritzema had picked up a knock so was replaced by Fraser Barlow at the break, and he almost made an instant impact hitting just wide. Louis Collins did the same at the other end shortly afterwards with the ball just curling away from the left post. Ten minutes later Noah Carney had another good chance when his header from a left sided cross was put wide of the right post. Shortly afterwards Carney had yet 2 / 3another opportunity when a ball dissected Lumsden and Queree to leave him with a one on one with Pierce Roche. The ‘keeper spread himself and the ball rebounded to safety.

The Ashford defence was resolute as they preserved their lead, and they were not averse to picking up cautions rather than let an attacker have a sniff of goal. Carney and Sam Hasler both put shots over as Jersey became more frustrated as the match wore on. In added time Luke Watson from just inside his own half passed back towards Roche but Ashford skipper Gary Lockyer anticipated well to nip in ahead of Roche and ensure the points went to the visitors.

Jersey Bulls – Pierce Roche (wore 13), Jack Lumsden, Jay Giles (wore 14), James Queree (c), Luke Campbell, Toby Ritzema, Francis Lekimamati (wore 21), Joe Kilshaw, Luke Watson (wore 16), Adam Trotter (wore 12), Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 1. Sam Devy (sub GK, not used), 7. Fraser Barlow (for Ritzema 46), 15. Jamie Watling (not used), 19. Stan Dunne (for Kilshaw 71), 20. Casey Nixon (for Lekimamati 55)

Red/White/Red; GK All Yellow

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

Ashford United - Harry Brooks, Miguel Scarlett, Joe Lewis, Barry Fuller (wore 14), Will Moses, Sam Hasler (wore 15), Noah Carney, Jack Dixon, Gary Lockyer (c), Louis Collins, Ollie Bate
Substitutes – 12. Matt Bodkin (not used), 16. Alfie Wincott (not used), 17. Archie Burnett (for Hasler 90), 18. Craig Stone (not used), 19. Kaelem Sobhee-Turner (not used)

Olive Green with White pinstripes on left, wider stripes on right/Olive Green/Olive Green; GK All Light Blue

Craig Stone (Manager), Matt Bodkin, Kane Penn and Harrison Hume (Coaches), Ben Coles (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 13; 14-5-4-2; 16; 21-8-12-11; 6
Ashford United (4-4-2) 1; 2-5-14-3; 7-8-15-19; 9-11

Officials – Steven Goldup (Maidstone), Tom Flanagan (Chiswick) dug outs, Nigel Owen (East Molesey) grandstand

Cautions – Miguel Scarlett (AU) 26, Sam Hasler (AU) 52, Jack Dixon (AU) 65, Adam Trotter (JB) 76, Harry Brooks (AU) 78 (time wasting), James Queree (JB) 90+6, Stan Dunne (JB) 90+7 (dissent)

Corners – Jersey Bulls (5) 7, Ashford United (1) 1

Assist(s) – n/a
3 / 3
Player of the Match – Jack Lumsden

Added Time – 1.10 & 6.40 (7.50)