WE ALL PAID THE PENALTY!

JERSEY Bulls boss Elliot Powell hit out at the Football Association and the Combined Counties League after his side reached the much-delayed Premier South play-off final.

- Matthew Nash

Powell’s men beat Fleet Town 3-0 penalties after a 1-1 draw at Springfield Stadium - just days after AFC Whyteleafe were confirmed as champions following points deductions to Jersey, who had originally finished top, and runners-up Redhill.

Following the disappointment of losing the title off the pitch having fielded an ineligible player, Bulls were playing for the first time in 35 days and Powell described it as a “game devoid of quality”.

However, he reserved his ire for the powers-that-be for a five-week disciplinary investigation that dragged on as he prepares for a Wednesday night final against Cobham — victors over Redhill on spot-kicks — in the Channel Islands.

“We are delighted to get across the line but this whole process has been a shambles,” Powell told The NLP, with his club having flagged up their own indiscretion, starting the whole process.