Jersey Bulls boss hails defence after 10th-straight clean sheet

Jersey Bulls manager Elliott Powell has praised his side's defence after their 10th successive clean sheet.

The islanders beat Tadley Calleva 3-0 at Springfield to consolidate third place in Combined Counties Premier South.

Toby Ritzema gave the islanders the lead just before half time.

Defender Luke Campbell marked his return from a two-month injury lay-off with an 80th-minute goal to seal the points before substitute Karl Hinds got his fifth goal of the season in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Bulls have not conceded a goal in any competition since a 2-2 draw at Sheerwater on 10 September - a run of nine wins and one goalless draw.

They are 10 points off leaders Redhill with three games in hand and four points behind second-placed Whyteleafe who have also played three more games than the Jersey side.

"Ten consecutive clean sheets at any level is some achievement," Powell told BBC Radio Jersey.

"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."

Bulls are still yet to lose a game since Powell took mover as manager in the summer after Gary Freeman stepped down.

They have conceded just six goals in 15 league games this season - eight fewer than the side with the next-best defensive record in their division.

"My teams have always been built on solid foundations at the back and I think we've shown that so far," Powell added.

"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."