Jersey continued their push for a play-off place by hosting the now relegation threatened Hassocks. They sat in 19th place (7-8-17 37-56) only having won twice since Jersey won there 2-0 in early November, but these two recent wins against rivals Sheppey United and Erith Town have given them hope of avoiding a return to the Southern Combination after just one season.

Jersey made two changes to their squad with the injured pair of Jonny Le Quesne and Adam Trotter being replaced by Luke Campbell and substitute goalkeeper Pierce Roche. Campbell replaced Jonny Le Quesne in the back four with James Queree moving to the right back position. James Sunley moved up from the bench to replace Trotter in the midfield.

Hassocks with half of their squad different to that which faced Jersey four months ago made three changes to the team that lost 0-2 at home to Faversham Town on Tuesday. Josh Mundy, Matt Daniel and Liam Benson were promoted from the bench to replace Scott Faber, Zack Henry and Devon Fender who all dropped out of the squad. Ruairi Farrell, Harvey Bryan-Enticknap and Alex Fair were all brought in as substitutes.

Jersey started brightly with Queree volleying over and Rai Dos Santos shooting wide in the opening ten minutes. They took the lead just after the quarter hour. Miguel Carvalho intercepted a Dan Turner clearance and threaded the ball through to Dos Santos who was clear on the right. He advanced, rounded ‘keeper James Shaw, and slotted home into the empty net. Lewis Finney volleyed over for Hassocks before Dos Santos shot straight at Shaw and Lorne Bickley had another shot saved by him.Hassocks defender Jack Troak had an attempt deflected wide and team mate Harry Furnell headed over before Troak did well to block Carvalho finishing off a Dos Santos cross just before the interval.

Jersey doubled their lead immediately after the break. Toby Ritzema broke through the middle and found Dos Santos in the left channel from where he cut in and curled an exquisite shot into the top right corner. Lewis Finley immediately cut in on the left side for Hassocks and from a narrow angle his shot was palmed across the face of the goal before Campbell cleared. Sunley looked to have finished off a Dos Santos cross but once again Troak came to Hassocks rescue to deflect the attempt wide.

Bickley and Jamie Wilkes had a foot race down the left flank which Wilkes won but at the expense of an injury that necessitated his substitution. The outpaced Bickley fell at the same time and was harshly cautioned for simulation. Josh Mundy had his shot for Hassocks blocked and Matt Daniel’s follow up was easily saved by Euan Van der Vliet. Bickley and Sunley combined to bring a reaction save out of Shaw. Ritzema looked certain to head in the rebound, but skipper Harvey Blake managed to stick out a leg to deflect it wide. Bickley shot over and Dos Santos had a cross aimed for Bickley cut out by Ben Scholl.

Dos Santos had a penalty shout waved away and Shaw saved from Bickley. Carvalho shot over and Bickley had a shot pushed over as Jersey continued to press. The icing on the cake came early in added time when substitute Fraser Barlow put in Dos Santos to complete his hat-trick.

This secured the victory and put Jersey back into the play-off places – by a solitary goal.

Jersey Bulls – Euan Van der Vliet, James Queree (c), Jay Giles (wore 14), Jamie Watling (wore 15), Luke Campbell, Toby Ritzema, Luke Watson (wore 16), James Sunley (wore 20), Lorne Bickley, Rai Dos Santos, Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 3. James Carr (for Watson 86), 7. Fraser Barlow (for Bickley 86), 8. Joe Kilshaw (for Ritzema 81), 13. Pierce Roche (sub GK, not used), 21. Francis Lekimamati (for Carvalho 81)

Red/White/Red; GK Yellow

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

Hassocks - James Shaw, Harvey Blake (c), Jack Troak, Josh Mundy, Dan Turner,Ben Shroll, Matt Daniel, Jamie Wilkes, Liam Benson, Harry Furnell, Lewis Finney
Substitutes – 12. Joe Bull (for Wilkes 55), 14. Ruairi Farrell (for Daniel 69), 15. Shay Leahy (for Mundy 69), 16. Harvey Bryan-Enticknap (for Turner 86), 17. Alex Fair (not used)

All Royal Blue (White trim); GK All Tangerine

James Westlake (Manager), Lewis Westlake (Assistant), Jordan Wilson & Tom Hughes (Coaches), Tim Edwards (GK Coach), Ellie-Mae Watson and Niamh Teague (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 1; 4-15-5-14; 16: 11-20-6-10; 9

Hassocks (4-4-2) 1; 2-5-6-3; 7-8-4-11; 10-9

Officials – Derrick A. Laing (Lightwater), Harry R. Scott (Aldershot) dug outs, Patrick J.M. O’Reilly (Crawley) grandstand

Cautions – James Sunley (JB) 19, James Shaw (H) 19 dissent, Lorne Bickley (JB) 54 simulation

Corners – Jersey Bulls (1) 8; Hassocks (2) 2

Assist(s) – Miguel Carvalho, Toby Ritzema, Fraser Barlow

Player of the Match – Rai Dos Santos

Added Time – 1.30 & 5.10 (6.40)