Jersey Bulls end Billingshurst's FA Vase hopes

Billingshurst’s FA Vase run ended in a defeat to Combined Counties division one side Jersey Bulls in front of a large crowd at Jubilee Fields as well as a few hundred watching and listening online with the game being streamed live.
Action from the Billingshurst-Jersey Bulls FA Vase tieAction from the Billingshurst-Jersey Bulls FA Vase tie
Action from the Billingshurst-Jersey Bulls FA Vase tie

The first half was evenly balanced with most of the game being played in the middle of the park, although Jersey had more of the ball and looked most threatening.

After 25 minutes, Billingshurst’s Jahobi Maher had a good headed chance but put it wide and after 40 minutes Ricardo Fernandes nearly caught the keeper off his line from about 40 yards.

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Jersey had the greater share of the good chances and only a few good saves from Luis Correia and solid defending kept Billingshurst in the game with a half-time score of 0-0.

After 48 minutes referee Iliev began to influence the game when a ball ricocheted on to Dan Evans' arm and a penalty given even to the surprise of the noisy Jersey fans. Luke Campbell slammed the ball down the middle to give the Bulls the lead.

This goal seemed to set back Billingshurst and the away team took full control of the game. After 56 minutes, Jersey got another penalty but couldn’t convert – the post saving ‘Hurst. The game started to become a feisty affair and players from both sides could easily have left the play earlier than planned.

It was no great surprise when Arthur Illingworth tapped in at the far post to make the game safe. With almost the final kick of the game , Kieran Lester made it 3-0 to extend the run of the still-unbeaten Jersey Bulls and deservedly put them into the next round.

Billingshurst manager Lee Spickett commented: “I was very happy with the 1st half performance but they upped their game in the 2nd half and their class showed.”