Epsom & Ewell arrived in 17th position with a 6-4-12 29-47 record but hoping they are doing enough to be safe from relegation. They lost their first five league matches, including the home match against Jersey but won three consecutive matches in September. They have had variable results since then but have taken points off Redhill, Fleet Town and Cobham as well as reaching the last 32 of the F.A. Vase.

Jersey made two changes to their starting XI with Fraser Barlow coming into the back four in place of James Carr, and Karl Hinds replacing the injured Francis Lekimamati. Hinds was pushed up front alongside Rai Dos Santos and Luke Watson played further forward with Toby Ritzema moved to the left flank in a change of shape to 4-4-2 adopted in order to attack a defensive visiting formation. Adam Trotter, the player of last season, returning from his travelling in South America made his first appearance on the bench. He was joined there by Will Yates, Kieran Lester, Seaney McColgan and Harry Gladdish.

Epsom & Ewell gave debuts to goalkeeper Kevin Kardel and Nathan Best as they had players suspended as well as their manager and assistant manager. Kit man Simon Payne was therefore acting manager and was assisted by his son. Two of their squad failed to make the morning flight so they had only two substitutes.

Jersey dominated the match with Ritzema, Rai Dos Santos and Jonny Le Quesne all going close before Ritzema opened the scoring with a glancing near post header from a Dos Santos corner from the left midway through the first half.

The second was started by a free kick on the half-way line in front of the dug outs. Luke Campbell launched it forward and Le Quesne headed it on to Hinds near the penalty spot. He in turn lob volleyed it to the right where Luke Watson at full stretch lobbed a cross to the far post where Dos Santos from seven yards out rose to head home the ball that Kardel could only fumble in at the foot of the left post. Joe Kilshaw went close twice more before the break.

After the interval Hinds and Le Quesne almost added to the tally before Epsom surprisingly pulled one back. Euan Van der Vliet fumbled an innocuous shot which was cleared for a corner. Captain Adam Green placed it to the near post where NiallStillwell reacted quickest with Jersey vainly claiming Van der Vliet was obstructed.

The two goal lead was restored within three minutes. Another free kick on the half- way line in front of the dug outs was taken this time by James Queree. Ritzema got his head on it and when it was played back to him by Dos Santos he controlled it with his right foot before arrowing it into the top left corner with his left.

Harry Curtis created the fourth when he robbed Stilwell on the right sideline before releasing Le Quesne who hit a powerful cross shot from a narrow angle. Fortunately for him Hinds was lurking at the far post and chested it home from a yard or so.

The fifth was the third to emanate from a half-way line free kick on the far side. This time it was played short by Curtis and after a one-two between Watson and Le Quesne it was played inside to Ritzema who played a delightful through ball for Dos Santos to run on to and slip under Kardel as he charged out.

Fraser Barlow and Watson both had shots blocked in the same piece of action before Trotter and Yates were introduced for Ritzema and Dos Santos in a double substitution with ninety seconds of normal time remaining.

In added time Trotter set Kilshaw free down the right flank, his low cross was deflected towards just behind Yates who could not quite transfer his body weight and so his shot went just wide of the right post as Jersey looked for a sixth goal.

Jersey Bulls – Euan Van der Vliet, Harry Curtis, Fraser Barlow, James Queree (c), Luke Campbell, Luke Watson, Toby Ritzema, Joe Kilshaw, Rai Dos Santos, Karl Hinds (wore 20), Jonny Le Quesne
Substitutes – 10. Adam Trotter (for Ritzema 89), 14. Kieran Lester (for Hinds 79),
17. Seaney McColgan (for Dos Santos 89), 19. Will Yates (for Dos Santos 89), 21. Harry Gladdish (sub GK, not used)

Red/White/Red; GK All Green

Elliot Powell (Manager), Dan Garton (Assistant), Adam Lester & Andy Dewhurst (Coaches), Dylan Buesnel (Analyst), Steve Martin (Medical)

Epsom & Ewell – Kevin Kardel (wore 13), Tobi Falodi, Kionte Gillfillian-Wual, Adam Green (c), Nicolas Bostan, Niall Stillwell, Sean Anderson, Craig Dundas, William Kendall, Jason Bloor, Nathan Best

Substitutes – 12. Jack Torbett (for Bloor 77), 14. Stefan Aiwone (for Falodi 81), only two substitutes

All Yellow with Navy Blue trim, GK all Dark Grey

Simon Payne (Manager), B. Payne (Assistant), M. McCulloch (Coach), Eoin O’Donovan (Kit), Jody Davies (Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Jersey Bulls (4-4-2) 1; 2-4-5-3; 6; 11-8-6-7; 9-20

Epsom & Ewell (4-4-2) 13; 2-5-6-3; 7-4-8-11; 9-10

Match Officials – Richard Benedict Marus (Worcester Park) 59, qualified in 2015. After working his way through the Surrey leagues this is his sixth season with the Combined Counties, his third as a Premier Division referee. Previously at Springfield in October 2022 for the Tadley Calleva fixture.

Benjamin James Frape (Guildford) on the dug outs side, qualified in 2019. His third Combined Counties season and his first visit to Jersey. Ryan Daniel Jones (Chalfont St. Peter) on the grandstand side, qualified in 2020. Also in his third Combined Counties season and his first Jersey match as he is usually on Combined Counties North matches.

Cautions – Jason Bloor (EE) 32, Adam Green (EE) & Luke Campbell (JB) 38, Luke Watson (JB) 76

Corners – Jersey Bulls (6) 10, Epsom & Ewell (3) 4

Assists – Rai Dos Santos 1st & 3rd, Luke Watson, Jonny Le Quesne, Toby Ritzema

Player of the Match – Toby Ritzema

Added Time – 1.50 & 4.10 (6.00)