Crowborough Athletic were left frustrated at full time as a strong home performance ended in defeat to Jersey Bulls, with key moments and late controversy proving decisive.

The Crows started on the front foot. Early pressure saw Goldsmith strike the side netting inside ten minutes and a free kick on the edge of the area soon followed, underlining a positive opening spell.
Jersey began to settle and the first contentious moment arrived on 16 minutes when clear calls for offside were ignored, allowing the visitors to carry the ball forward, forcing Holmwood into a smart save.
The deadlock was broken on 18 minutes when Jersey took the lead. Further misfortune followed on 29 minutes as an own goal doubled the visitors’ advantage. Despite the scoreline, Crowborough continued to compete, and Bodds produced an outstanding goal-line save in first-half stoppage time to keep the deficit at two heading into the break.

The second half saw an immediate response from the hosts. Rushy brought Crowborough back into the game on 48 minutes, driving the ball home to make it 1–2 and reignite belief around the ground.
What followed was a sustained spell of pressure from the Crows. Corners, free kicks and attacking deliveries kept Jersey pinned back, with several apparent handball incidents waved away, including one where H. Mayhew was taken down in the process. Jersey had their chances too but the defence worked hard to keep them away from Holmwood. Rush went close again, firing over as Crowborough pushed for an equaliser.
Fresh legs were introduced as Duncan, Swainston, Turner and Lyons entered the fray, and the pressure continued to build deep into the closing stages.

Late drama brought the game to boiling point. Rushy went down in the box, with appeals for a penalty waved away. Play continued and Crowborough immediately found the net, only for the goal to be ruled offside. The decision sparked outrage across the entire stadium,a reaction that proved entirely warranted. Coming so late in the game, the decision likely denied the Crows a deserved point and ultimately handed Jersey Bulls a very fortunate and lucky three.
Five minutes of added time were played, but despite relentless effort, Crowborough were unable to force the equaliser their performance merited.

While Jersey Bulls may have had to fly to reach us, the fixture was no more important than any other, and there were no excuses on either side. What was clear was the contrast between the two halves. The Crows’ second-half display was far tighter, more controlled and full of intent, forcing Jersey onto the back foot for longer periods. The challenge now is to carry that across both halves, while continuing to support one another on the pitch, as they look ahead to the next test at Herne Bay.