Sandhurst Town gained promotion to the Premier Division in 2023 and last season finished 10th when both matches against Jersey were drawn. 1-1 at Springfield in March following a remarkable 4-4 at Bottom Meadow in September. When Jersey visited this season in late November Sandhurst were lying 12th including victories over both Cobham and Fleet Town. Jersey won 6-1 then after a flurry of four goals in ten first half minutes.

In early March Sandhurst defeated Whyteleafe and bottom club Spelthorne, but since then have only picked up one point from six matches leaving them in danger of relegation if both Chipstead draw and Balham, six wins from nine matches, win.

Jersey made one change from Tuesday’s win at Abbey Rangers with Luke Watson starting and Paul McKay moving to the bench where he was joined by James Carr who replaced the injured Toby Ritzema. Sandhurst had Eddie Cooper instead ofLuka Smirnoff and George Brough came off the bench to replace Ben Thompson.

Ryan Lopes and Elliott Miles were substitutes in place of Brough and Freddie Bailey.

After the devasting news the previous evening of a three point deduction Jersey were left hoping for miracles from the matches at Guildford City and Fleet Town. Another record crowd was present and they had been hoping to see the local side crowned champions if they won.

Pierce Roche almost gifted Sandhurst an opener when he cleared straight to their front man Shane Qoloni but his first touch was heavy and James Queree cleared thedanger. At the other end a Karl Hinds free kick took a wicked deflection off the defensive wall and went just wide of the right post with Harry White left helpless.

Hearts were in mouths after quarter of an hour when a Queree clearance twenty-five yards out cannoned off Cooper and rebounded over Roche. Remarkably when it landed a couple yards short of the goal the spinning ball gripped on the surface, kicked right and almost came to a standstill. Matters were still level at the interval after White saved well from a Luke Campbell header following a Jay Giles corner.

Just after the hour Jersey almost took the lead when a diving Luke Watson header hit the base of the left post after he flung himself forward to meet a Fraser Barlow free kick from the right.

Two minutes later the goal came. Hinds put substitute Lorne Bickley through only for White once again to come to the rescue but the ball fell to Joe Kilshaw who took a touch before rifling home.

In the final minute of normal time another diving header, this time Bickley from a Jonny Le Quesne cross, was pushed aside by White. Jersey continued to pour forward and in one passage of play White saved twice more from Bickley before substitute Francis Lekimamati crashed the loose ball onto the top of the right post.

Results elsewhere meant Jersey were left facing a home play-off semi-final against Cobham next Saturday. Sandhurst Town were relegated after Balham won their seventh game of their last ten and Chipstead won at Abbey Rangers.

Jersey Bulls – Pierce Roche, Jonny Le Quesne (wore 12), Jay Giles, James Queree (c), Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Fraser Barlow (wore 21), Joe Kilshaw, Karl Hinds (wore 20), Adam Trotter, Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 9. Lorne Bickley (for Trotter 56), 14. James Carr (for Giles 48), 15. Paul McKay (for Watson 71), 17. Kieran Lester (for Carvalho 79), 18, Francis Lekimamati (for Barlow 69)

Red/White/Red: GK All Dark Green

Elliot Powell (Manager), Dan Garton (Assistant), Adam Lester and Andy Dewhurst (Coaches), Karl Benest (Kit), Dylan Buesnel (Analyst), Steve Martin (Medical)

Sandhurst Town – Harry White, Toby Thompson, George Brough, Lewis Wilson, Connor Allison, Toby Lawes (c), Eddie Cooper, Zach Cox, Shane Qoloni, Alfie Edmonds, Charlie Sell

Substitutes – 12. Adam Maadini (for Thompson 86), 14. Mason Slade (for Cox 90+2), 15. Callum Barrie (for Brough 86), 16. Ryan Lopes (for Edmonds 90+2), 17. Elliott Miles (not used)

All luminous Yellow; GK Pink/Black/Black

Adam Barnard (Manager), Carl Barrie (Assistant), Lee Barefoot (Coach), Jack Casey (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 1; 12-4-5-3; 6; 11-10-8-21; 20

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

Match Officials – Oliver J. Keil (Watford) 20, qualified 2019, Hertfordshire Leagues and now his in his second Combined Counties season. Roger P. Wells (Coulsdon) on the dug outs side, a familiar face, last here for the same fixture last season in March 2024. On the line at both Epsom & Ewell and Chipstead this season. Isaac Nsubuga (Croydon) on the grandstand side. Qualified in 2022 and in his third Combined Counties season. On the line at Tooting & Mitcham United in February.

Cautions – Adam Trotter (JB) 29, Lewis Wilson (ST) 61, Karl Hinds (JB) 90+7

Corners – Jersey Bulls (4) 7, Sandhurst Town (0) 0

Assist – Lorne Bickley

Player of the Match – Joe Kilshaw

Added Time – 3.05 & 7.10 (10.15)