Jersey hosted Eastbourne whom they had defeated by the only goal of the game in a scrappy match in early December. Eastbourne had spent the season in the lower half the table and were currently 16th (12-7-16 46-70) but without ever seriously being in danger of relegation. They had had a tough run of fixtures since the New Year but had beaten Deal and Margate and most recently drawn with Faversham and beaten Sittingbourne. The latter last Saturday was a hard fought match settled by two penalties which also saw nine cautions and two dismissals.

Jersey welcomed back captain James Queree, Francis Lekimamati and Adam Trotter to their squad with unused substitute Max Corbett making way. Quereereplaced Harry Curtis in the starting line up with Curtis joining Lekimamati and Trotter on the bench. Eastbourne who had seven different players in their squad last week to the one that met Jersey previously made five changes due to suspensions and injuries. Sam Parker, Sonny Walsh and James Waters were elevated from the bench to replace Aaron Capon, sent off last week, Alfie Rogers and Luke Emberson.They had a completely changed bench to replace the promoted trio plus Billie Clark and Jimmy Holman. Edward Ratcliffe and Adam Davidson, the latter looking to add to his 476 previous appearances, came into the squad.

Teams changed ends and Jersey kicked off attacking the Town end, looking into the sun 3.59.20

Eastbourne started well and had two half chances. Firstly, Euan Van der Vliet came a long way out of this penalty area but failed to intercept a ball to Ollie Davies. Davies rolled the ball goalwards with Sonny Walsh attempting to reach it to apply the finish. Fortunately, it rolled just wide shepherded there by James Queree who also managed to keep Walsh at bay. Secondly James Waters looped a header over the bar from a Jack Murphy cross when well placed. Just before the mid-point of the half Rai Dos Santos turned in the box and had skipper Chris Winterton scrambling to tip his chip over the bar. Shortly afterwards Dos Santos was clattered by J.J. Walker, on loan from Hastings United, and he was duly cautioned. Dos Santos continued as a threat and pulled a good save out of Winterton with the rebound being volleyed wide by Toby Ritzema. On the half hour there was three minute delay when the “carpet” by Winterton’s penalty spot separated. Lorne Bickley put a header over before Van der Vliet made a save in added time as the interval arrived goalless.

Just as he had in the previous home match Dos Santos scored thirty-four seconds after the resumption. Set up by a well weighted through ball from Miguel Carvalho he was able to pick his spot, and he chose the bottom right corner. James Waters was cautioned as Eastbourne’s regular use of the elbow was spotted and a minute later so was Walker which resulted in him receiving his marching orders. Worse was to follow for the visitors when Elliot Jenks jumped into Luke Campbell with little pretence at attempting to head the ball and he joined Walker back in the changing rooms. The already cautioned Waters was also shortly substituted, presumably to avoid another possible dismissal. Eastbourne resorted to two banks of four, hoping to snatch a breakaway equaliser.

Jersey on the other hand looked for a way to break down the massed defence and make sure of the points. At the mid-point of the half Carvalho broke through the right channel and rattled the crossbar just before he was the first Jersey player to be substituted. Winterton pulled off another good save from Dos Santos before a superb through ball from Ritzema down the left channel beat the offside “trap” to set up newly introduced Trotter (who else Agatha Christie fans!) for the second goal. Winterton continued to thwart Jersey’s attempts to add to their total, defying Bickley,Trotter and substitutes James Carr, and Fraser Barlow in the final quarter of an hour. In so doing he prevented Jersey overtaking Faversham as they now have identical points and goal differences, with Faversham staying ahead by virtue of goals scored.

Jersey Bulls – Euan Van der Vliet, Jamie Watling (wore 15), Jay Giles (wore 14), James Queree (c), Luke Campbell, Toby Ritzema, Luke Watson (wore 16), Joe Kilshaw, Lorne Bickley (vc), Rai Dos Santos, Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 3. James Carr (for Giles 80), 7. Fraser Barlow (for Carvalho 67), 12. Adam Trotter (for Kilshaw 72), 21. Francis Lekimamati (for Dos Santos 83), 23. Harry Curtis (for Queree 87)

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)

Eastbourne Town - Chris Winterton (c), Sam Parker, Jack Murphy, Harvey Greig, J.J. Walker, Nathan Hover, Ollie Davies, Eliot Jenks, Sonny Walsh, James Waters, Leon Greig

Substitutes – 12. Ngezvashe “Anesu” Sisimayi (for Parker 46), 13. Gerson-Guillermo Cachimuel (sub GK, not used), 14. Edward Ratcliffe (for Waters 59), 15. Marcin Ruda (for Walsh 80), 16. Adam Davidson (not used)

All Turquoise; GK All Orange

Jude McDonald (Manager), Ben Davis (Assistant), Adam Davidson (Coach), Matt Elphick (Analyst), Roman Glazier (Kit), Dominic Crowhurst (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 1; 4-15-5-14; 16: 11-8-6-10; 9
Eastbourne Town (4-4-2) 1; 2-5-6-3; 11-4-8-7; 10-9

Officials – Callum L. Peter (Guildford), Harry R. Scott (Aldershot) dug outs, Luke J. Piner (Haywards Heath) grandstand

Cautions – J.J. Walker (ET) 27, James Waters (ET) 49, J.J. Walker (ET) 50 and dismissed, Eliot Jenks (ET) 56 dismissed, straight red; Euan Van der Vliet (JB) 85

Corners – Jersey Bulls (3) 6; Eastbourne Town (1) 3

Assist(s) – Miguel Carvalho, Toby Ritzema

Player of the Match – Rai Dos Santos

Added Time – 4.20 & 4.00 (8.20)