Redhill v Jersey Bulls
Combined Counties Premier South
A beautiful spring day bathed in sunshine for my visit to Kiln Brow, the home of Redhill, for their first of two massive showdowns with the Jersey Bulls. Going into the match Jersey were sitting ahead of Redhill on top of the Combined Counties Premier South but only on goal difference, and lurking just three points behind were AFC Whyteleafe so the league was set for a thrilling climax.
I arrived at the club just before 2pm after a two hour journey via a rail replacement bus and two trains. Thankfully it worked out okay! Plenty of Bulls fans had made the journey over to the mainland, I saw many enjoying the sunshine in the Old Chestnut pub just outside the train station as well as the first coach load being dropped off as I entered the ground. Admission to the ground was £9 for an adult and £2 for an excellent printed programme. Then followed my customary wander around the perimeter of any new ground and then it was off to the food cabin where I had a very tasty bacon cheeseburger with fried onions for just £5.
Next it was off for a catch up with the legend that is Chris Walker, better known via social media as @mottysmic on Twitter. He does radio commentaries via CW Sports Radio around various grounds, covering both men’s and women’s football and has a worldwide following for doing so. He’s also one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet and has an extensive knowledge of the grassroots men’s and women’s game (as well as in Estonia but I’ll let him tell you about that!) A top man so well worth giving him a follow on social media if you don’t already.
This was always likely to be a gritty, hard-fought match given how much was riding on the result and that is exactly how it played out. After just four minutes two Redhill players, Olly Allen and Sam FitzGerald, clashed heads both going for a high ball leaving both on the ground. Fitzgerald carried on with a Terry Butcher style head bandage but Allen had to go off and to the hospital with what looked like a nasty cut. Sean Swift replacing him after a good 5 minute break in play.
Chances were at a premium as both sides battled for every ball and the best chance in the first 20 minutes came with Redhill being awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area but wasted the opportunity by firing high and wide of the Bulls goal.
On a quick Jersey break, Lorne Bickley shrugged off two challenges in midfield before finding the run of Miguel Carvalho, he ran into the box only to fire into the side netting.
Redhill forced the next chance from a long Elliott York throw. The ball reached the six yard box where it was flicked on, falling to Callum McCallister, and he sent a snapshot goalwards where a wonderful reaction save from keeper Euan Van der Vliet managed to bat the ball away.
The recent dry spell meant the pitch was hard and dusty, despite the hosts best efforts to keep it watered, and it wasn’t really conducive to playing the ball on the floor so subsequently we had an awful lot of long clearances and balls lofted into the air.
Just before the break tempers flared as Bickley was fouled on the halfway line. A sly kick in the back from FitzGerald while he was down sparked a reaction and he faced off to the nearest man. There were handbags going on all over the pitch before things finally calmed down with the referee then taking time to talk to his line officials before going off to speak to both benches. In the melee first half substitute Swift was shown the red card, his second bookable offence of the half and the hosts were reduced to ten.
There was still time for a Bulls corner with the ball being floated to the far post where it was met by Fraser Barlow but his header deflected off the back of a defender’s head and was cleared.
In the 15th minute of added time Redhill won a free kick on the left side of the box. Nathan Hogan sent a lovely diagonal cross into the area which was just too high for McCallister and bounced wide of the far post.
After 17 minutes of added time the referee finally brought the first half to a close.
H-T: Redhill 0 Jersey Bulls 0
With a man advantage the Bulls started to control the game in the second period, keeping possession and trying to breach the well drilled Lobsters defence.
A long throw into the box from Jonny Le Quesne found the head of Barlow whose header looped goalwards but Luke Roberts in the home goal gathered easily. Joe Kilshaw hit a shot from distance which went well wide before Le Quesne ran into the box after a nice passing move down the right flank only to drag his shot wide of the upright.
Redhill had their backs to the wall at this point but the pace of substitute Timothy Obisanya was a good outlet for them. He made a couple of good breaks but without being able to fashion a shooting opportunity.
Kilshaw again tried his luck but from closer in this time which whistled just past the post, before Roberts did well, saving efforts from Bickley and Trotter as the Bulls probed for the opening goal of the game.
Roberts was again called into action with seven minutes remaining, this time pulling off a stunning save from another Kilshaw shot.
The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute, a Jersey corner to the far post was met by an unmarked Luke Campbell and he made no mistake, burying his header into the back of the net. 0-1
Their lead only lasted six minutes as, in the first minute of added time, Bulls keeper Van der Vliet couldn’t hold on to a shot from outside the box and Seb Tauta-Caballero reacted quickest, tapping the ball into the net to the delight of the Redhill fans behind the goal. 1-1
F-T: Redhill 1 Jersey Bulls 1 Att: 576
This was always likely to be a tense affair and occasionally tempers did flare with yellow cards being brandished like confetti and the one red but it ended with honours even and now sets up next week’s return at the Springfield Stadium perfectly. The Bulls still look favourites with their game in hand over Redhill and vastly superior goal difference but they have to be wary, another draw on Saturday could leave an opening for AFC Whyteleafe to sneak in and take the title.
A very enjoyable day out and I met some fantastic people on the day from both sides. The Bulls following is phenomenal, very friendly to chat to and very noisy! They certainly enjoy their away days! Spoke at length with the parents of one of the players throughout the first half and they were great fun to talk to.
Thanks to all the Lobsters fans I chatted with and thanks to everyone at the club for your warm welcome and hospitality. I will definitely make a return visit next season!
Good luck to both clubs next week and in the final few games.