Jersey Bulls defend well to force FA Cup replay

Jersey Bulls' defending has been praised after their 0-0 draw at Burgess Hill Town in the FA Cup.

The islanders, who were under the caretaker charge of former Jersey representative team boss Martin Cassidy with manager Elliot Powell getting married, stifled their higher-level opponents in their first qualifying round tie.

The islanders had chances late on to win but will return to their Isthmian League Premier Division hosts on Tuesday night for the replay.

Under FA Cup rules, a Channel Island side cannot host a replay, only being able to host games if they are initially drawn at home.

"I thought it was a really high-level game, Burgess Hill are a very good side, well organised," Cassidy told BBC Radio Jersey.

"But our team, you can't say enough praises for the way we defended.

"The back four and [goalkeeper] Euan van der Vliet were outstanding again - on Monday night they were brilliant defensively and they brought it into the game today.

"We had to be really watertight and we matched them, and then as the game went on and we made some changes we should have won that at the end, I think.

"Burgess Hill had everybody in the box for the last 10 or 15 minutes defending for the lives, the keeper making saves.

"We missed a couple of half chances, that if we were a bit more clinical we win the game, which would have suited us a lot more going back home with a 1-0.

"But the players can be proud of themselves, they've done a great job and I think we've given Burgess Hill something to think about for the next game on Tuesday."