THE visit of league leaders AFC Whyteleafe tomorrow “isn’t season defining” according to Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell.
Hailing from Surrey, Whyteleafe have progressed from Step 8 to Step 5 in just three seasons, and have legitimate aspirations of continuing that rise through the football pyramid.
After a sluggish start to the season, the leaders have been on an upwards curve and heavy investments in players over recent weeks underpin that desire to earn a fourth consecutive promotion.
The most high-profile addition to their ranks is undoubtedly Jamie Mascoll.
It is understood that the former Charlton and Bolton player is being paid £1,000 per week for his services, offering real star quality both defensively and in midfield.
Despite being a club that has several paid players in their set-up, Whyteleafe have called Jersey Bulls the “title favourites” entering tomorrow’s mouth-watering fixture.
Powell’s Bulls are enjoying a truly remarkable campaign and remain unbeaten in the league from 22 games, featuring 18 wins and four draws.
Sitting in third, the Islanders are four points adrift of Whyteleafe, but do have four games in hand over their promotion rivals.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a really big game,” said Powell.
“We’ve played them away from home [won 0-1] and they’re definitely the best side we’ve played this season.
“Given the investment that they have made into the side and the signings over recent weeks, I think any sort of victory, or even a draw, would go down as one of the best Bulls results in the club’s short history.”
While the implications of tomorrow’s fixture will go a long way towards Jersey’s promotion aspirations, Powell feels that, for Whyteleafe, there is far more pressure to come away from the Bailiwick with points.
The manager added: “We have put ourselves in a really strong position, where tomorrow isn’t season defining.
“It’s a bit of a free hit, to be honest, where getting anything from the game puts us in a brilliant position and hurts Whyteleafe.
“We would have got both games against them out the way, with Redhill [in second place] still having the play them again.
“There are quite a few front-runners in the league that still have to face them too, so we are very happy with where we are at currently.
“But for Whyteleafe, it probably feels season defining for them.
“They started the season slowly, but are enjoying a great run of form.
“No one has come to us and won yet, so we are fully aware that they will be hungry to be the first.
“Look, it’s a great day, it’ll be a massive occasion and a big opportunity to grab a great result, but we are not seeing it as the be-all and end-all.
“There are plenty of other ways for us to go and win the league if tomorrow doesn’t go our way.
“But we are very much confident of a good display and a good result.”
Personnel-wise, there is the possibility of Lorne Bickley’s return to the matchday squad.
Powell and his coaching staff were set to make a judgment call at yesterday evening’s training session on the side’s record scorer, along with talented winger Miguel Carvalho, after both suffered frustrating spells on the treatment table.
The news is less positive for James Sunley, however.
The midfielder impressed during the first half of the season in his first year with the side, but has been absent through injury and a further set-back could rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
On a positive front, one of Jersey’s stars from last season, Adam Trotter, returned to the matchday squad in the Islanders’ comprehensive 5-1 home win over Epsom & Ewell.
The midfielder missed the first 21 league games due a stint away from Jersey travelling, but his return offers vital depth.
“Everyone’s fully aware of Adam’s qualities,” continued Powell.
“He was player of the tournament for Jersey when we won gold at the Island Games and is a key player.
“We have run our midfield trio of Toby [Ritzema], Joe [Kilshaw] and Luke [Watson] into the ground so far this season, purely because of the lack of depth to rotate.
“Adam probably won’t make the starting 11 this week, but he’s getting back up to speed quickly and isn’t too far away.”
Action from Springfield Stadium is set to begin at 4pm.
At the time of print, Jersey Bulls’ squad to face AFC Whyteleafe was yet to be decided.
