BULLS ON CHARGE FOR DREAM FINAL
GARY FREEMAN says his Jersey Bulls players are allowing themselves to dream of a first trip to Wembley after they edged closer to the Isuzu FA Vase final.
The Channel Islanders beat Wessex League Step 6 side Hamworthy Recreation 4-2 on penalties at the Springfield Stadium to earn a home tie with Falmouth Town in the last 16.
Boss Freeman’s main objective this season is promotion from the Combined Counties League Premier Division South but a run to the Vase final under the arch would be a massive moment for the Bulls. “The Vase is an unbelievable competition. We had a good run last year to the same stage (the fifth round) and this season we’ve had the benefit of going into the draw later at round two,” he said.
“It’s just a great cup to be in and there is a massive carrot at the end of it. The anticipation around the Falmouth game will build around the island over the next few weeks and I think Springfield will sell out as we get closer to it. “I’m sure the players will be allowing themselves to think about what could be possible and it’s exciting to be able to do that.”
Freeman paid tribute to returning midfielder Ruben Mendes, who scored the late equaliser to force penalties against the Dorset side, and then added the winning spotkick to send his men into the last 16 after what had looked like being a frustrating afternoon for the home side. Mendes missed 14 months with an ACL injury but made an incredible comeback in front of the team’s home support just when they, and their manager, needed him the most while goalkeeper Pierce Roche saved two penalties in the shoot-out. Freeman added: “Ruben has been involved with this club from the start and has finished his surgery and rehab and was ready for some minutes.
“We were running out of options and he is capable of creating a goal. In the end, it was a fairytale return for him. Credit to Ruben, it is a horrible injury and he has worked so hard to get back from it. “It wasn’t our best performance and for 75 minutes, it wasn’t the most exciting game either. We huffed and puffed without creating chances and I was impressed by Hamworthy, who were a bit unfortunate to go out in the end. “To get through the way we did showed the desire of the whole team too. They want to play football at the best level they can.”
Formed in 2018, the ambitious Bulls want to follow in ther footsteps of fellow Channel Islanders Guernsey and play at Step 4 next term but find runaway leaders Farnham Town standing in their way in the sole automatic promotion place.
Jersey, who have finished third and fourth in the past two campaigns, are in solid contention for the play-offs and Freeman admits top-ofthe-table Farnham have set out their stall.
“Credit to them, they are an ambitious club and a good model,” he said. “I’ve only been impressed with the way they’ve done it. I think they are doing it in the right way. “What doesn’t help us is there is only one guaranteed place to go up to Step 4 and that is something we would love to do. The thing for us as well is, there’s always another Farnham.
“Last year we saw Raynes Park Vale win the league, Badshot Lea, Walton & Hersham and Beckenham Town before that, so it’s not easy any year.”