The Bulls’ under 23s made their home debut with a match in the last thirty-two of the Suburban Cup against Chatham Town Reserves. Their first team was top of the Southern Counties East Premier Division when last season was “curtailed”.

Jersey made four changes to the side that defeated Horley Town in the first round. Jack Lumsden replaced the suspended Sammy Sutcliffe in central defence. The brothers Max and Olly Rivers made way for Kushal Frankson and Jake Prince, whilst Jay Dos Santos replaced his unrelated namesake Rai.

The effects of Storm Aurore were just beginning to make themselves felt as Jersey kicked off attacking the Town End. Sol Solomon forced Harvey Mills in to any early save when the forces of nature stepped up a gear, or two…. A flash of lightning in the distance heralded much stronger winds and heavier rain which swirled across the pitch and sent the hardy spectators scurrying to the back four rows. It was the start of Storm Aurore which, by midnight, brought winds of 78m.p.h. to the Island.

During this downpour Jack Cooper had an opportunity to give Chatham the lead when he met a free kick from the right with a firm header. Fortunately for the hosts it flashed past the right post. Just two minutes later Dos Santos fed Frankson on the right and his low cross was swept home by Solomon in the centre, although how many spectators managed to see it was a moot point.

The conditions eased sufficiently for clearer viewing, even if the players were still receiving a soaking. Harvey Mills saved from Prince before Junior hit the bar from twenty-five yards when a corner was played back to him.

Solomon played in Prince with a scooped pass forward that put him in the clear. Mills rushed out and handled outside his box but advantage was played as the ball rebounded to Prince. He was about to put the ball in to the empty net when he was scythed down by Junior. Remarkably Mills escaped sanction and Junior received a more than justifiable caution which strangely seemed to perplex him. Solomon duly dispatched the resultant penalty in to the top corner.

Mills was indeed fortunate that he was not cautioned for the first penalty because seven minutes later he brought down Solomon and did “see yellow”. Solomon’s hat trick was completed with another penalty, this time in the bottom corner.

On the resumption the lively Palomeque Wilson beat two defenders but put his shot well wide. Frankson had a good chance at the other end, but he could not beat Mills. This was his last piece of action as he was replaced by Max Rivers. Shortly afterwards a break down the left put Robert Martins-Figueira in the clear and with the ball standing up nicely for him a deft touch saw him lob Mills from twenty yards.

Dylan Alden pulled a good save out of Robbie Scott before a flurry of substitutions and cautions filled the last quarter of the match. Chatham scored a deserved consolation when a half-cleared corner was hooked back in to the danger area by Wilson. It fell kindly to Daniel Donaldson at the far post to finish off.

Jersey responded to this affront to their dignity by rounding off proceedings with their fifth of the night. Prince cut in from the left and although his first shot was blocked he regained possession and hit a sweet cross shot in to the top right corner.

Jersey Bulls U23s 5 (Sol Solomon (3, 2 pens) 13, 34p & 41p, Robert Martins-Figueira 61, Jake Prince 88); Chatham Town Reserves 1 (Daniel Duncanson 84)

Attendance – 155

Programme – None

Jersey Bulls U23s – Robbie Scott, Luke Appleton, James Carr, Joe Kilshaw (c), Jack Lumsden, Toby Ritzema, Kushal Frankson, Robert Martins-Figueira, Jake Prince, Jay Dos Santos, Sol Solomon

Substitutes – Max Rivers (for Frankson 58), Wilf Morris (for Dos Santos 73), Josh Coutanche (for Solomon 73), John “J.J.” Lloyd (for Appleton 89), Harry Scott (for Carr 85), Leandro Vieira (not used), Luke Duncan (Sub GK, not used)

Blue/Blue/White; GK All Green

Paul Renton (Manager), Gary Freeman (Assistant), Jim Robertson (Physio.)

Chatham Town Reserves – Harvey Mills (c), Jack Cooper, Freddie Bull, Kian Garlinge, Thomas Green, Yasin-Pepin Junior, Callum Slack, Dylan Alden, Tom Samwell, Daniel Duncanson, Palomeque Wilson

Substitutes – Lewis Bain (for Slack 73), Lee Garlinge (Player/Manager) (not used), only two substitutes

Red/White/Black; GK All Yellow.

Lee Garlinge (Player/Manager), Geoff Greensmith (Assistant)

Referee – Richard Dyer (Jersey)

Assistants – Neil Giannoni (Jersey) & Toni Cardoso (Jersey)

Cautions – Junior (CT) 33, Solomon (JB) 38, Mills (CT) 41, Wilson (CT) 64, Prince (JB) 67, K.Garlinge (CT) 79, Carr (JB) 83, Ritzema (JB) 90+2

Sin Bin – Ritzema (JB) 90+2

Corners – Jersey Bulls U23s (1) 7; Chatham Town Reserves (2) 4

Player of the Match Award (commentator) – Sol Solomon (JB)