Jersey faced a bellwether match at Sittingbourne. Now in sixth but having played a match more than all those above them Jersey needed to avoid defeat to keep in touch with those in the play-off positions. However, Sittingbourne six points above them (15-5-5 47-27) had won nine of their last ten matches, and drawn the other, under new manager Reece Prestedge, including recent wins on the road against rivals Merstham and A.F.C. Whyteleafe. They adopted a physical approach in their 1-1 draw at Springfield in late September since when their volatile manager had moved on to Welling United. The new manager had overhauled their squad with only their front three surviving the changeover.
Jersey made three changes from the squad that had won at Crowborough last week. Skipper James Queree and Toby Ritzema were both back from injury and first choice ‘keeper Euan Van der Vliet after a lengthy visit to the Far East. Luke Campbell, away on holiday, and Stan Dunne made way. Van der Vliet immediately displaced Pierce Roche and James Sunley started instead of Francis Lekimamati. Queree replaced Campbell in the middle of the defence.

Sittingbourne elevated Jaden Crowhurst and Henry Sinai from the bench replacing Ben Swift and Jean-Baptiste Fischer who became substitutes along with Elijah Anthony, a new loan signing from Ebbsfleet United.

Sittingbourne started well and were regularly attacking down the flanks, particularly the left, before putting in tricky crosses for the Jersey defence to deal with. Luke Woodward brought a fingertip save out of Van der Vliet early on and Bagasan Graham had a shot which the ‘keeper parried. At the other end a Jay Giles corner caused consternation at the far post before Jamie Grossart was able to fall on the ball.

Sittingbourne took the lead when the overlapping Joseph Boachie reached the left byline before firing in a cross which Van der Vliet pushed away only for Darren Foxley to quickly change feet and volley home the rebound left footed from six yards. 2 / 3A clever back heel by James Sunley gave Lorne Bickley a sight of goal but he fired wide of the left post. Miguel Carvalho looked to have gained a corner with a twenty yard shot from the other flank but a goal kick was awarded as Grossart dived towards his left post.

Jersey got back into the game with a penalty. Adam Trotter tried to put Bickley away in the right channel, but Jack Steventon cut it out and played it back to Grossart with Bickley in pursuit. A heavy touch from the ‘keeper allowed Bickley to nip in only to be brought down by Grossart. Queree stepped up and hit it firmly bottom right with Grossart almost getting to it.

Sittingbourne immediately went looking to restore their lead and thought they had achieved it in the 40th minute when Van der Vliet, under pressure from Boachie, dropped the ball which Foxley forced home. However, a foul had been awarded so it was not given but not before a bout of handbags in the goalmouth for which remarkably no cautions, notably to Luke Watson, were issued. In added time Carvalho put a cross shot wide of the left post.

Early in the second half Sittingbourne appealed vainly for a penalty before a Foxley cross from the right skimmed the cross bar before dropping to safety. Jersey responded with a rare breakaway when Carvalho in the right channel brought a flying save out of Grossart. Sittingbourne continued to press as Jersey put five across the back in an attempt to stifle the Sittingbourne raids from out wide. Boachie headed a Sittingbourne free kick wide and Jersey substitute Rai Dos Santos had a shot pushed away across the face of the goal by Grossart.

As the clock ticked down Boachie whistled a twenty-five yard just over the left angle and in added time Sittingbourne substitute Harvey Smith had his late attempt from close in saved by Van der Vliet diving to his left as Jersey frustrated the hosts to come away with a valuable point.

Sittingbourne – Jamie Grossart, Jaden Crowhurst, Bagasan Graham (c), Luke Woodward, Jack Steventon, Gavin Hoyte, Henry Sinai, D’Sean Theobalds, Derek Asamoah, Joseph Boachie, Darren Foxley (7 & 11 were reversed on the team sheet)
Substitutes – 12. Ben Swift (not used), 14. Richard Hamill (for Sinai 62), 15. Elijah Anthony (for Woodward 62), 16. Harvey Smith (for Asamoah 84), 17. Jean-Baptiste Fischer (not used)

Red with Black design/Black/Black & Red hoops: GK Lime/Lime/Black

Reece Prestedge (Manager), Joe Anderson (Assistant), Godfrey Poku (Coach), B. Voss, C. Green, H. Robinson (Medical)

Jersey Bulls – Van der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne (c), Jay Giles (wore 14), James Queree (c), Jamie Watling (wore 15), Luke Watson (wore 16), James Sunley (wore 20), Joe Kilshaw, Lorne Bickley, Adam Trotter (wore 12), Miguel Carvalho
Substitutes – 3. James Carr (for Kilshaw 84), 6. Toby Ritzema (for Trotter 61), 10. Rai Dos Santos (for Carvalho 69), 13. Pierce Roche (sub GK, not used), 21, Francis Lekimamati (for Sunley 84)
3 / 3
All White (Lilac trim); GK All Yellow

Elliot Powell (Manager), Dan Garton (Assistant), Dave Kennedy (Coach), Karl Benest (Kit), Nikki Nicolle (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Sittingbourne (4-4-1) 1; 2-5-6-3; 11-4-8-7; 9-10
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 1; 2-4-15-14; 16; 11-8-12-20; 19

Officials – Craig Charles (Harlow), Mahdi El-Halawany (Braintree) dug outs, Luke J. Smith (also Braintree) far side

Caution(s) – Jonny Le Quesne (JB) 51, Luke Watson (JB) 72, D’Sean Theobalds (ST) 79

Corners – Sittingbourne (2) 5; Jersey Bulls (1) 3

Assist(s) – Lorne Bickley

Player of the Match – Joe Kilshaw, honourable mentions for Lorne Bickley and James Queree
Added Time – 2.35 & 4.45 (7.20)