An interesting opening league fixture for Jersey against a team relegated from the Isthmian Division 1 South Central section after finishing bottom last season with just five wins. Tooting had played in the Isthmian League continuously since 1956.

They had also lost 2-4 in a F.A. Cup replay in midweek at home to Athletic Newham after a 3-3 draw. Jersey beat Athletic Newham 5-1 in the F.A. Vase last season.

Jersey made one change to their starting line-up as Jonny Le Quesne had tweaked at hamstring at training on Thursday evening. Fraser Barlow took his place. Joe Kilshaw was also out injured after being “clattered” at Sittingbourne. Miguel Carvalho retained his place on the bench where he was joined by Harry Curtis, Jake Mulholland, Harry Scott and Frank Tobin. Tobin received a late call after Le Quesne’s injury as he has recently been concentrating on triathlon events.

Jersey unveiled their new “Arsenal” red strip with a white trim to the sleeves as Tooting kicked off attacking the Robin Hood end on a humid (20C) afternoon.

Jersey started well forcing three corners in the opening dozen minutes. The second of these had come when a thirty-yard Luke Watson free-kick had only just been pushed around the post by Tom Leonard diving late to his left. Barlow put another shot wide of the right post before Watson was denied by the left post in the 17^thminute. Lorne Bickley had flicked the ball on to Barlow on the right wing and his low cross was met by Watson twelve yards out. His cross shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded to a grateful Leonard on the other side of the goal.

Midway through the half a long Sammy Sutcliffe clearance led to James Carr playing in the overlapping Jay Giles on the edge of the box but he shot over. However, Sutcliffe had pulled a muscle in his clearing and after twice being treated hobbled off to be replaced by Harry Curtis with James Queree moving in to the central role.

Just before the half hour Tooting had a clear-cut opportunity when a long ball forward from Hussein Siklawi put Keiran Campbell clear only for him to shoot against the legs of the advancing Euan Van der Vliet to leave the scores level at the break.

Just before the hour Carvalho shot over but shortly afterwards Adam Trotter passed back from midfield only to find Campbell 25 yards out. There was still much to do but after a couple of paces he curled a superb shot in to the top right corner.

Jersey went looking for the equaliser and Leonard pushed aside a strong Bickley shot for a Carvalho corner and from another three minutes later Jersey “scored” with a Curtis header only for it to be denied, presumably for pushing. 6 minutes 45 seconds was added to take the match total to exactly 15 but Tooting held firm and did not look like a side that had conceded seven goals in their previous two games.

Jersey Bulls 0, Tooting & Mitcham United 1 (Kieran Campbell 61)

Attendance – 722

Programme – 32pp (online only)

Jersey Bulls – Euan Van der Vliet, James Queree (c), Jay Giles, Sammy Sutcliffe, Luke Campbell, Kamen Nafkha, Fraser Barlow, Adam Trotter, Lorne Bickley, Luke Watson, James Carr
Substitutes – 14. Harry Curtis (for Sutcliffe 27), 15. Jake Mulholland (for Nafkha 62), 16. Frank Tobin (not used), 17. Miguel Carvalho (for Carr 46), 18. Harry Scott (for Barlow 84)

Debut of “Arsenal” Red with White trim to sleeves/White/Red; GK All Dark Green

Gary Freeman (Manager), Kevan Nelson (Assistant), Dan Seviour (Coach), Richard Hebert (GK Coach), Steve Martin (Physio.)

Tooting & Mitcham United – Tom Theobald, Sid Dack, Sam Orisatoki, Jayden Hutchings, Alex Penfold (c), Deji Adeosun, Warren Colman, Hussein Siklawi, Jamie Byatt, Keiran Campbell, Shawn Lyle
Substitutes – 12. Robert Boyd (for Byatt 68), 14. Joel Drew (for Siklawi 78), 15. James Smith (not used), 16. Dominic Ash (not used), 17. Sol Patterson-Bohner (not used)

All Purple; GK All Orange

Jamie Byatt (Player/Manager), John O’Connor (Assistant), Mark Hams (Coach), Shawn Jordan (Coach), James Hodel-Murphy (GK Coach), Dale Byatt (Fitness), Carly Doyle (Physio.)

Formations
Jersey Bulls (4-4-2 R to L) 1; 2-4-5-3: 10-8-6-11; 9-7
Tooting & Mitcham United – (4-4-2 R to L) 1; 2-4-5-3; 7-6-8-11; 9-10

Referee – Alexander J. “Alex” McKay (Sutton) aged 36, of Ayrshire extraction. Qualified in 2014, initially with the Surrey Leagues, fifth season with the Combined Counties League. Also in charge when we hosted Raynes Park Vale in April.

Assistants – Steven Conway (Harefield) On the dug-out side. In his 30^th season, 18 of them on the National List. Third visit to Springfield, on the line for both Farnham Town in 2021-22 and Cobham last season. Craig Griffiths (Addlestone) on the grandstand side. His 14^th season, all with the Combined Counties. First time at Springfield but on the line at Badshot Lea six months ago.

Caution – Deji Adeosun (TMU) 57

Corners – Jersey Bulls (3) 6; Tooting & Mitcham United (1) 3

Player of the Match – Harry Curtis