Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell is confident his side can win the Combined Counties Premier South title.
Bulls know victory over relegation-threatened Sandhurst Town at Springfield on Saturday would almost certainly be enough to become champions.
Bulls are level on points with second-placed Redhill, but their goal difference means their rivals would have to win their final game by 21 goals more than the islanders to take the title.
Should both teams slip up, third-placed Whyteleafe could win the title – they are just one point behind.
“In terms of achieving what we set out at the start of the season, this gives us the opportunity on the pitch at the first time of asking,” Powell told BBC Radio Jersey
“It’s an important day for the club, we’ve been looking for promotion from this level for about four seasons now, so for us to have that opportunity in our hands on Saturday is one that we need to take.”
Only the champions will earn promotion to the eighth tier of English football, with the next four sides in play-offs for the second promotion place.
Bulls were beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season, but Powell hopes they can build on their midweek win over Abbey Rangers after losing 2-1 at home to Redhill last week.
“They need to play the game, not the occasion. I know that’s a cliche but our lads have been really good at it all season,” added Powell.
“We play the opposition in front of us, especially here at Springfield.
“We’ve lost a couple, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, but largely we’ve been pretty dominant here, and even in those games we should have taken something out of both of them.
“We’ve got a way of playing down here, the home support definitely helps that, and fingers crossed everything goes to plan on Saturday.”
Powell took over as Bulls manager in the summer from Gary Freeman, who had led the island side since they were formed in 2019.
Despite only being 27, he came to the club with a strong record in local football.
He guided St Peter to the island’s domestic title and led Jersey’s representative team to gold at the 2023 Island Games and victory in the 2024 Muratti Vase.
He has continued that form as Bulls boss, losing just two league games, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, and once in the FA Vase to Whitstable Town – who have gone on to reach the final at Wembley.
He says victory on Saturday will be comparable to any achievement he has had s a coach.
“That Island Games is always going to be pretty special, certainly the outpouring of of emotion on the pitch after the game was something I don’t think we’ll experience again,” he said.
“But I’m pretty sure Saturday we’ll get pretty close.
“It’s going to mean an awful lot to the fans and the club if we can get over the line on Saturday.”
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Image source, Lauren Trachy/Jersey Bulls-
10 minutes ago
Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell is confident his side can win the Combined Counties Premier South title.
Bulls know victory over relegation-threatened Sandhurst Town at Springfield on Saturday would almost certainly be enough to become champions.
Bulls are level on points with second-placed Redhill, but their goal difference means their rivals would have to win their final game by 21 goals more than the islanders to take the title.
Should both teams slip up, third-placed Whyteleafe could win the title – they are just one point behind.
“In terms of achieving what we set out at the start of the season, this gives us the opportunity on the pitch at the first time of asking,” Powell told BBC Radio Jersey
“It’s an important day for the club, we’ve been looking for promotion from this level for about four seasons now, so for us to have that opportunity in our hands on Saturday is one that we need to take.”
Only the champions will earn promotion to the eighth tier of English football, with the next four sides in play-offs for the second promotion place.
Bulls were beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season, but Powell hopes they can build on their midweek win over Abbey Rangers after losing 2-1 at home to Redhill last week.
“They need to play the game, not the occasion. I know that’s a cliche but our lads have been really good at it all season,” added Powell.
“We play the opposition in front of us, especially here at Springfield.
“We’ve lost a couple, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, but largely we’ve been pretty dominant here, and even in those games we should have taken something out of both of them.
“We’ve got a way of playing down here, the home support definitely helps that, and fingers crossed everything goes to plan on Saturday.”
Image source, Lauren Trachy/Jersey BullsPowell took over as Bulls manager in the summer from Gary Freeman, who had led the island side since they were formed in 2019.
Despite only being 27, he came to the club with a strong record in local football.
He guided St Peter to the island’s domestic title and led Jersey’s representative team to gold at the 2023 Island Games and victory in the 2024 Muratti Vase.
He has continued that form as Bulls boss, losing just two league games, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, and once in the FA Vase to Whitstable Town – who have gone on to reach the final at Wembley.
He says victory on Saturday will be comparable to any achievement he has had s a coach.
“That Island Games is always going to be pretty special, certainly the outpouring of of emotion on the pitch after the game was something I don’t think we’ll experience again,” he said.
“But I’m pretty sure Saturday we’ll get pretty close.
“It’s going to mean an awful lot to the fans and the club if we can get over the line on Saturday.”
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