Tadley are alright without Wright

Tadley Calleva extended their unbeaten run to six games following a 0-0 draw across the Channel at unbeaten Jersey Bulls.

The result means the Tadders have lost just once in their last twelve games and sit eighth in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, a point and a place behind the Bulls.

Ben Dillon and Joe Lawler’s side more than matched the islanders, in spite of the absence of star man Ben Wright.

“We’re very pleased with a point,” Dillon said.

“It’s such a tough place to go, it’s like that because they’re so good.

“Nothing’s easy, it’s an early start and a lot of travelling, it’s unlike anything else we experience.

“I’m happy that we matched them and I’m delighted with a point.”

Jersey had scored 18 goals in their first six games this term and haven’t blanked since a pre-season friendly against League Two leaders Stevenage in July, but Dillon and his side have worked hard on defending since conceding 11 in their first two matches.

“We were really pleased to keep a clean sheet, especially against big hitters like Jersey,” he said.

“It shows how far we’ve come, we’re solid as a unit.

“We’ve worked really hard on it, we knew we needed to concede less goals.

“I feel like we’re really getting somewhere in that regard, that’s fantastic.

“We didn’t set up differently, we just made ourselves aware of their threats and dangers.

“Mine and Joe’s philosophy has always been to allow the boys to express themselves in possession and to give them freedom in the final third, we never want to lose that, it’s our identity.

“We were missing Ben Wright, he didn’t travel, so we did tweak things, but our principles didn’t change.

“We had a great following, it’s a good weekend, we had a few drinks on the Saturday night.

“It was a good atmosphere and it was even better to come away with a point as well.”

Earlier in the week, Tadley progressed to the next round of the Hampshire Cup following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wessex League side Bournemouth.

An own goal, Connor Thorne and Brad Neal helped the Tadders into the hat.

Dillon said: "We had a few missing but we were very good, we played very well.

"We tried to play through the lines and we delivered a lot of balls into the box, we're full of confidence at the moment."

Tadley welcome second placed side Redhill – who have won seven of their first nine games, losing just once – to Barlows Park this weekend in what promises to be another stern test for Dillon's side.

"They're a very good side, they'll be right up there come the end of the season," Dillon said.

"Every game's hard for different reasons, Redhill will be another big test for us.

"I feel like we're a match for anyone and we've got a lot of quality, hopefully we can nick another three points."