Jersey made their debut at Step 4 with a visit to Margate. Margate had lost in the semi-final of the play-offs last season after finishing fourth, so a difficult opening was envisaged, probably in front of a good crowd as Margate averaged 550 last season.

Jersey were without James Queree, after the birth of a daughter, and Lorne Bickley who was on holiday, although having picked a hamstring injury last week he would not have been available anyway. Jonny Le Quesne returned to the squad and took over the captaincy and also returning to the squad were Adam Trotter, FrancisLekimamati, Rai Dos Santos and Will Yates who were all on the bench. They were joined there at the last moment by Euan Van der Vliet who failed a late fitness test after injuring himself at training on Thursday evening. His place was taken by Daniel Jinadu of Maidenhead United who had been signed on Friday as emergency cover.

The match on a warm day on a bouncy 3G pitch was closely contested in midfield which resulted in very little significant goalmouth action.

A Miguel Carvalho cross after four minutes was well met by Luke Campbell’s head but it beat both goalkeeper Tom Wray and the crossbar.

Just before the half hour Jersey took the lead. Carvalho started a run on the right flank but worked his way diagonally across before slipping the ball to Fraser Barlow. His low cross shot eluded Wray who probably will think he should have done better.It meant Barlow had scored the first Jersey league goal at Step 6, 5 and now 4.

Ten minutes later the first corner arrived but it was as a result of the application of the new directive. Jinadu was deemed to not released the ball within eight seconds of gaining possession and was penalised by the award of a corner.

Two minutes before the break Jack Lumsden broke from midfield to put himself in the clear. From twenty-two yards he chipped the advancing Wray but the curl he put on the ball took it just wide of the left post.

In added time Margate player/manager Ben Greenhalgh was in a similar situation. From twenty-five yards he lobbed Jinadu only to hit the left post and the ball rebounded to the recovering goalkeeper. This left Jersey still holding their slender advantage going in for the break.

The lead did not last long after the interval. Margate took a short corner on the right to Tushian Walters. He beat Jay Giles and from the byline his cross was flicked on by Harry Hudson to Sam Blackman at the far post who hooked home the equaliser.

Just after the three-quarter mark Margate took a quick free kick on the left, The resulting shot was blocked on the line by Giles. A melee ensued in an attempt to force the loose ball home before Jinadu claimed possession. Five minutes latersubstitutes Lekimamati and Dos Santos combined well but the half chance was blocked off by a combination of Hudson and Wray.

Both sides continued to huff and puff but neither could blow the others house down.

Margate – Tom Wray, Harrison Hatfull, Ben Wells, Max Walsh, Lewis Knight, Harry Hudson (c), Tushian Walters, Sam Blackman, Tom Derry, Kai Garande (wore 17), Ben Greenhalgh
Substitutes – 12. Blu Husthwaite (for Hatfull 76), 14. Brandon Davey (for Walsh 62), 16. Emmanuel Oke (not used), 19. Kieron Agbebi (for Walters 81), 20. Louie Atkins(for Wells 70)

Royal Blue and Black wavy stripe design/Royal Blue, white trim/Royal Blue, white trim; GK All Turquoise

Ben Greenhalgh (Player/Manager), Elliot Leveson and Tyrone Sterling (Coaches), Owen Kellmeier (GK Coach), Frankie Empson (Kit), Graham Day (Medical)

Jersey Bulls - Daniel Jinadu (wore 21), Jonny Le Quesne (c), James Carr, Sammy Sutcliffe (wore 15), Luke Campbell, Luke Watson (wore 18), Fraser Barlow, Joe Kilshaw, Jay Giles (wore 14), Jack Lumsden (wore 16), Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes - 1. Euan Van der Vliet (not used), 10. Rai Dos Santos (for Barlow 66),12 Adam Trotter (for Kilshaw 76), 17. Francis Lekimamati (for Carr 66),19. Will Yates(not used)

White (Light Blue and Pink wide diagonal stripes – (“Aladdin Sane”)/White/White; GK All Yellow

Elliot Powell (Manager & Medical), Dave Kennedy (Coach), Karl Benest (Kit)

Formations (R to L)
Margate (4-4-2) 1; 2-5-6-3; 11-4-8-17; 9-7
Jersey Bulls (4-3-3) 21; 2-15-5-14; 16-18-8; 11-7-3

Officials – Simon J. Finnigan (Folkestone), Thomas J. Amber (Dover) (dug outs), Tyler Diminieux (Herne Bay) (seating)

Cautions – Harry Hudson (M) 52, Luke Watson (JB) 61, Brandon Davey (M) 82

Corners – Margate (2) 6, Jersey Bulls (0) 1

Assist(s) – Miguel Carvalho

Player of the Match – Sammy Sutcliffe

Added Time – 1.05 & 4.45 (5.50)