In brief: Jersey Bulls climbed to second place in the Isthmian League South Central division after a 2-0 victory over AFC Stoneham. The win extended their unbeaten run in the league to an impressive 26 games, stretching back to 30 December. They now sit eight points behind leaders Bognor Regis Town, though with two games in hand.
Bulls Make it 26 and Counting
It was not always pretty, but Jersey Bulls got the job done at AFC Stoneham on Monday evening, moving up to second in the Isthmian League South Central table with a composed 2-0 win over a struggling home side. The result continues one of the most remarkable runs in the Bulls’ history: 26 league games without defeat, a sequence that began all the way back on 30 December.
The BBC reports that James Sunley opened the scoring 27 minutes in, getting on the end of a low ball from the right by Casey Nixon to register his second goal of the season. It was a well-worked move, and Sunley had already come close to doubling the lead early in the second half when a low effort was saved after good work down the left by Jay Giles.
A Nervy Finish, Settled by Bickley
The match was not without its anxious moments. Stoneham went close just before half-time when Jim Orvis blazed wide, and in the second half the Bulls were twice made to sweat. James Johnson broke clear and struck the post in the 65th minute, before Duarte Martins headed against the upright with ten minutes remaining. At that point, a one-goal lead can feel a very fragile thing indeed.
Step forward Lorne Bickley. The Bulls striker forced in a low effort in the 89th minute to put the result beyond doubt, taking his personal tally to six goals in his past four appearances. That is the kind of form that makes a manager sleep soundly. Earlier in the game, Sammy Henia-Kamau had also tested the Stoneham goalkeeper on multiple occasions, with both he and Bickley having efforts saved in quick succession after Sunley’s opener.
The Title Picture
The Bulls’ position is an encouraging one. Eight points behind leaders Bognor Regis Town sounds like a gap, but with two games in hand, the island side are very much in the conversation. Consistency has been the hallmark of this squad: 26 unbeaten league games is not a fluke, it is a statement of intent from a club that has grown steadily since its formation and continues to punch well above its weight on the mainland football circuit.
For supporters back in Jersey, following the Bulls’ away fixtures requires a degree of dedication, given the obvious logistical challenges of island life. But results like this make the early alarm calls and ferry timetables entirely worthwhile.
Source: BBC News
