Jersey Bulls' Powell hoping for FA Cup run

Jersey Bulls manager Elliott Powell says the club are setting their sights high ahead of this season's FA Cup campaign. The Isthmian League South Central Division outfit welcome Combined Counties South Sheerwater FC to Springfield Stadium for their preliminary-round tie this Saturday. The Bulls are only in their ninth season since being formed in 2018, but Powell thinks they deserve to dream big. "Our ambition is to get to the first round proper," he told BBC Radio Jersey. "People at work will take the mickey, but we've already been looking at the grounds we can get to. "For me, it would be like a Sheffield Wednesday in there, which would be my dream tie. You need a bit of luck, but it's within reach when you get to those later rounds of qualifying." Jersey's three-year plan under Powell to reach step four was achieved in two seasons. Last season they almost reached step three before defeat in the Isthmian League South East play-off semi-final on penalties. Powell says the club's ambition means the team can enjoy the cups a lot more, "The league campaign brings pressure with it, whilst the FA Cup - although it's not a free hit - we want to have a memorable cup run," he explained. "The league feels more of a slog and a competition you have to win every week. "But those dreams in the FA Cup, of getting to the first round proper, playing in the biggest stadiums in the country, that's a completely different pressure and motivation." For the second season in a row, both Jersey Bulls and Guernsey FC will play in the FA Cup, with both clubs' women's teams also taking part. Powell says it could actually help all four sides for them all to be involved He said: "We probably don't feel the burden of us putting it on the map as such now. All four teams are doing that in their league campaigns, but clearly the FA Cup brings much more prestige. "We're happy to play our small part and hopefully contribute to the history of the competition."
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