Page 11 - Raynes Park Vale v AFC Croydon Athletic

A 5-0 victory over Rochester United
His first season saw a 7th place finish
which remains our highest position. It
was hoped that this would enable the Jersey Bulls: Gary Freeman praises reaction as 10-
team to progress further but successive
seasons have seen mid-table finishes. man islanders get 1-1 draw at Raynes Park Vale
In 2017/18 they slipped to 13th and the
following year they went down to 15th.
However, in 2018/19 saw progress in
the FA Cup for the first time which coin-
cided with their first home tie too. A 5-0
victory over Rochester United and then
a 1-0 replay win over Hanworth Villa
saw a First Qualifying Round tie.
The global pandemic
Since then the global pandemic has cur-
tailed two seasons. The 2019/20 season
saw progress in the FA Cup again before
succumbing to Herne Bay United after a Jersey Bulls manager Gary Freeman has praised his side's reaction after coming
replay but after 27 games the season was back from a goal down with 10 men to draw 1-1 at Raynes Park Vale.
abandoned. Season 2020/21 started late The hosts led after goalkeeper Euan van der Vliet's clearance was intercepted by Jordan
with a thriller of an FA Cup tie against Gallagher who curled it into the empty net from 35 yards early in the second half .
Sutton Common Rovers with a record Ruben Mendes was sent off with five minutes left for the islanders.
174 turning up but the season would But top scorer Sol Solomon equalised a minute later to salvage a point.
again be curtailed after just 12 matches. "It was difficult enough 1-0 down against them, so to go to 10 men and get the goal I'm
A reorganisation really pleased," Freeman told BBC Radio Jersey.
A reorganisation means that it is time The draw leaves the island side seventh in Combined Counties League Premier Division
to move back to the Combined Coun- South, although they have as many as four games in hand on the sides above them.
ties Football League Premier Division "We had a few chances in that first half, unfortunately we haven't taken one," Freeman
South for the 2021/22 season with the added.
firm wish that we have a full season to "Second half I thought it got a bit scrappy, particularly after they scored they broke the
look forward to.
game up."
RECENT CCL RESULTS On van der Vliet's mistake for Raynes Park Vale's goal Freeman commented: "He's cre-
ated plenty of goals with those sorts of passes out and he's also pulled off two or three
06/11 Croydon Ath 1–1 Fleet Town ,
very good saves today.
23/10 Cobham 5–0 Croydon Ath
"Things happen and this is what we're trying to drum into people, mistakes do happen
16/10 Farnham Town 0–1 Croydon Ath
in football, you've got to react to it and a draw is not a bad result.
09/10 Croydon Ath 2–2 Colliers Wood Utd
02/10 Sheerwater 3–3 Croydon Ath "Euan will be a bit disappointed, but he'll get over it quickly."