Ruben Mendes: Returning Jersey Bulls midfielder hailed as goal keeps FA Vase hopes alive

Ruben Mendes missed all of 2023 with a knee injury before returning to keep jersey Bulls in the FA Vase

Jersey Bulls boss Gary Freeman says his gamble to bring on Ruben Mendes paid off as the returning midfielder's goal kept the islanders in the FA Vase.

Bulls were 1-0 down to Chris Long's 50th-minute goal before Mendes, who missed the last 13 months with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, came on with 11 minutes left.

Five minutes later he hit a superb goal to take the game to penalties.

Pierce Roche saved two spot-kicks as Bulls won the shootout 5-3.

"That's his first minutes in over a year," Freeman told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I wasn't sure whether to put him on, he's been training for a long time, but it's a bit different as he's coming back from a serious injury.

"He was confident, he went on, we chucked him in it and he's got that ability that he'll create something out of nothing and he's done that and thankfully got us back in the game."

The victory over the side fourth in Wessex League Division One sent Bulls through to the last 16 of the competition for the second successive year.

"As the game went they had the 1-0 lead and were sitting back hanging on it," added Freeman.

"Once we got the goal, I actually fancied us to go no and nick another because you could see their body language, but once you go into the penalties it is a bit of a lottery.

"Credit to young Pierce, he's just come in recently and we know on penalties he is good, so we were in a good place and thankfully we're through."