Bulls close gap on leaders after win at Knaphill
Jersey Bulls coach Dan Garton has hailed his side's commitment after their 3-1 win at Knaphill in Combined Counties Premier South.The win was a 13th in 16 unbeaten away games this season and moved the third-placed islanders three points off second-placed Redhill and leaders Whyteleafe.Bulls have a game in hand on Redhill and have played two fewer than the leaders as the title race hots up. Substitute Kieran Lester gave Bulls a 36th-minute lead shortly after coming on for the injured Rai Dos Santos before Joe Kilshaw doubled the advantage three minutes after the break. Veteran midfielder Luke Watson marked his 100th appearance for the club with a goal 14 minutes from full-time as he converted from the penalty spot. "The most important thing at this stage of the season is getting the three points and obviously that's achieved," Garton told BBC Radio Jersey."But the lads had to dig in and work really hard again, especially after a tough game in midweek at Camberley. It required everything today."We lost Rai Dos Santos early, in the first 20 minutes, and Kieran Lester came on - he took his goal really well."He really deserves that after the season he's had, with his commitment and maybe not getting the opportunities that he wanted."
The win extended Jersey Bulls' superb away record - their only loss this season came at home to Whyteleafe last month - as they look to make up for the disappointment of losing in the first round of the play-offs last season.Garton says the fact his side have to fly to the UK mainland for all their away matches, staying overnight if it is a midweek game, shows how committed his team are. "It's huge testament to the lads and everyone that travels away so regularly and gives up their time and commitment," he said."That's what gels us together and it's been a big part of the fact that we've gone 16 games unbeaten now on the road, which is great."I think we've only had two two or three draws as well, so about 13 wins on the road - really proud of the lads."I couldn't ask any more of what they do week in, week out with work commitments and family life. It's always great to get over the line in games like today."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Strikers call time on Jersey Bulls careers
Forwards Karl Hinds and Kieran Lester will leave Jersey Bulls following the club's promotion to the Isthmian was the island side's top scorer in their inaugural season in 2019-20 before the campaign was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic. Having spent some time away from the club, Hinds returned last summer under new boss Elliot Powell and scored nine times to take his overall tally to 28 goals in 72 returned to the side earlier this season after an injury crisis and scored a number of key goals in his final campaign as he ended his time at the club with 19 goals in 79 brother Adam, who was part of the Bulls' backroom team, is also leaving the club.
ITV News
7 days ago
- ITV News
Scoring goals and tackling STIs: non-stop football tournament raises £20k for HIV awareness charity
Hundreds of islanders in Jersey took part in a non-stop football tournament on Saturday to raise money for HIV and AIDS awareness charity, TackleAfrica. The opening whistle signalled the start of 12 hours of non-stop play, with each of the six-a-side teams allowed just two additional players to continuously sub in throughout the course of the day. Raising £20,000 for charity, the 'football marathon' was more than just a unique fundraising effort - the game of football is a central part of everything TackleAfrica does. The charity operates in sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of using football to educate communities about avoiding STIs, living with HIV, and supporting others to do the same. Local organiser John Gamble explains: "Tackle uses football as a teaching method - it's a really interactive and engaging way of working with young adults." "We layer in sexual health, AIDS, HIV, FGM messaging into football drills and in that way we find we can get messaging across much more easily, in a visual way that people easily understand." George Warran, TackleAfrica's UK events manager, adds: "For example, we do this drill where the goal would represent genitalia, and footballs would represent STIs." "By adding defences - or condoms - they then can't contract the STIs, because they're practicing safe sex". He adds: "We will see groups of 30, 40 young people with one coach, all engaged, all asking questions, all sharing the message with their friends". The charity then ensure that local football coaches are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to continue teaching their own communities. The marathon is in its 14th year in Jersey, and saw players of all abilities come together - including two members of the recently-promoted Jersey Bulls. John says: "What started out with 6 teams as a bit of an idea has grown, and become a real fixture in the Jersey football community - and it's a terrific day that people look out for". George adds: "It's one of those things where friends come together, have a blast doing it - but there's a message behind it that people connect with, there's something purposeful we are raising money for".
ITV News
29-05-2025
- ITV News
Jersey Bulls celebrate emotional promotion after play-off thriller
Jersey Bulls have been promoted to the eighth tier of English football after a 2-1 victory over Cobham in front of a sell-out crowd at Springfield.
