Powell Praises Defence After Jersey Bulls Achieve Tenth Consecutive Clean Sheet

Jersey Bulls manager Elliott Powell has commended his team’s defensive performance following their tenth successive clean sheet. Powell has remained undefeated since assuming the managerial role in the summer. The island-based team secured a 3-0 victory over Tadley Calleva at Springfield, thereby strengthening their hold on third place in Combined Counties Premier South. Toby Ritzema put Jersey ahead shortly before half-time, and defender Luke Campbell, returning after a two-month injury absence, scored in the 80th minute to secure the win. Karl Hinds, coming on as a substitute, scored his fifth goal of the season in the fifth minute of stoppage time, extending the margin of victory. The Bulls have maintained an unbeaten defensive record across all competitions since a 2-2 draw against Sheerwater on 10 September, a sequence comprising nine victories and one draw without goals. They currently trail leaders Redhill by 10 points, with three matches in hand, and are four points adrift of second-placed Whyteleafe, who have played three additional fixtures. Speaking to BBC Radio Jersey, Powell stated, “Ten consecutive clean sheets at any level is some achievement. I think we’re right up there in the top three in the country for number of clean sheets, and I’m pretty sure our run is probably the best at the moment. So it’s testament to Euan (van der Vliet, Jersey Bulls goalkeeper) and all the defenders that have been in quite a makeshift back four throughout the season.” Since Powell assumed the managerial position in the summer following Gary Freeman’s departure, the Bulls have remained undefeated. This season, they have allowed only six goals in 15 league matches, which is eight fewer than the team with the second-best defensive record in their league. Powell further commented, “My teams have always been built on solid foundations at the back and I think we’ve shown that so far. I think we can still get better in possession, and of course there’s still some things we can do better out of possession as well just to relieve some pressure at times. But the lads have really bought into it and credit to them. They keep finding ways even when they’re not at their best to get over the line, so all credit to those lads.”