JERSEY Bulls return to action at the Springfield Stadium at 3pm tomorrow, hosting AFC Whyteleafe in their third home league fixture of the season.

The visitors will be familiar opponents, as the two clubs were both promoted from the Combined Counties League last season, with Whyteleafe claiming the title after Jersey and Redhill were each docked three points.

Vice-captain Jonny Le Quesne is excited to play in front of a home crowd: “It’s always nice to have the fans behind you; it always makes you elevate your game.”

Their meetings last term proved evenly matched, with both sides recording narrow 1–0 away victories.

Whyteleafe have started strongly in the Isthmian South East Division, currently sitting third in the table and just four points off top spot. However, their impressive home form has yet to fully translate on the road.

The Jersey Bulls have experienced a difficult run of fixtures, gathering just two points from their previous three matches as they sit 15th in the league table, but with home-field advantage, the Bulls will be confident headed into Saturday.

It’s been a week of late heartbreak for the Bulls, who fell to their first league defeat of the season last weekend after conceding a 92nd-minute winner away to Sheppey United.

Just days later, an 89th-minute equaliser at Jubilee Field against Three Bridges had also denied them a valuable victory and halted their early-season momentum.

Jonny Le Quesne is back in the side after being sidelined for the last two Picture: DAVID FERGUSON

Le Quesne said the squad are focused on taking the positives from recent performances despite a tough run of results, explaining: “There were positives to take from Tuesday. There was a little lapse in concentration right at the end, but we’ll build on the positives rather than focusing on the result.”

The meeting continues the sides’ rivalry from their Combined Counties League days, and Le Quesne said the Bulls know exactly what kind of challenge awaits them, stating: “We sort of know what to expect from them, they’ll have a lot of the ball.”

“We’ll have to sit in and defend for a long period of time, but we’ve definitely got enough quality to get out there and turn a good performance into a result.” Continued Le Quesne.

The right-back also highlighted the difference in resources between the two clubs, noting the Bulls’ commitment to their local talent: “Obviously we don’t have the luxury of upgrading our squad, but we know the quality we have, and we’ve got plenty enough to give them a good game,” Le Quesne explained.

When asked about the added edge that comes from both sides earning promotion together last season, Le Quesne played down any sense of rivalry, explaining: “We don’t really think about that too much. The fact that we came up together, it’s important to prove that we’re here for a reason, just as much as they are.”

“I wouldn’t say they’re a better team than us. There’s no real bitter rivalry, but it would be nice to turn them over,” Le Quesne added.

Jersey Bulls squad: Adam Trotter, Euan Van Der Vliet, Fraser Barlow, James Carr, James Queree (c), James Sunley, Jamie Watling, Jay Giles, Joe Kilshaw, Jonny Le Quesne, Lorne Bickley, Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Toby Ritzema

Archie’s Predicted XI

Our best effort so far is 10/11 and we are still in search of the full-house and I’m convinced that this week is the one.

I suspect Euan Van Der Vliet to return in net. I also think it’s time for the return of Luke Campbell and James Queree at the heart of defence, which will be the first time since the 17th of July.

I anticipate Jonny Le Quesne will return at right-back, whilst I believe James Carr has earned himself a start on the left side of the back four.

In midfield, I have gone with Luke Watson, Adam Trotter and Joe Kilshaw. The three have had plenty of experience playing as a trio. Although Toby Ritzema featured in both matchups last season, his open goal miss last weekend is more than enough to drop him for tomorrow’s match.

My favoured front three remains the same with Rai Dos Santos on the left, leading goalscorer Lorne Bickley up top and finally, the tricky Miguel Carvalho off the right.

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