Bulls to welcome strugglers

Jersey Bulls host Sheerwater at Springfield on Saturday afternoon

JERSEY BULLS will look to maintain their stingy and disciplined defensive efforts at home to Sheerwater.

Over the last six games in all competitions, the Islanders have conceded just one goal, while adding 19 of their own.

All nine of the goals from the past two fixtures came in the second half, highlighting a patience and a quiet confidence within Gary Freeman’s camp.

Up next for Bulls is a struggling Sheerwater side, languishing in 18th place in Combined Counties Premier South with just four wins from 19.

It is a daunting proposition for the Surrey outfit, who were heavily beaten 7-0 in the reverse fixture in October, in a game that saw winger Fraser Barlow injured. He has been sidelined ever since.

Freeman said: ‘I think the foundation of any successful team begins with a solid defence. We have a lot of experience back there and that shows with the way they have performed.

‘It is no secret that we are a relatively young team in terms of being in the football league system and we are learning every game.

‘We are better at trusting ourselves to break down sides and not panicking if the goals don’t flow right away.’

Sheerwater have been a side the Bulls have enjoyed facing over recent seasons.

In the last three games against the mainlanders, they have racked up 19 answered goals.

However, much like most of the opposition the Caesareans face in the ninth tier, change is common.

Freeman said: ‘They have certainly been a side we have got a lot of joy from in the past, but we can’t get complacent.

‘I believe there is only one player who remains from the reverse fixture and their results of late have been much more positive. We know they will come in with nothing to lose and our focus will be more on executing our game plan.

‘The last couple of games have been goalless after the first half, so we would like to assert from the off and not have to rely on late goals every week.’

After naming an unchanged side the last two fixtures, Freeman will be forced into a minor change, after Jonny Le Quesne picked up a knock against Cobham.

Also absent is Jake Prince, after he scored last time out within minutes of coming off the bench.

The winger was forced off moments after scoring, with a niggle of his own.

The action gets underway from Springfield at 2pm on Saturday.

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