Jersey Bulls Goalkeeper Pierce Roche Out for Three Months After Injury

Jersey Bulls have been dealt an early-season blow with goalkeeper Pierce Roche ruled out for around three months after breaking his collarbone in their FA Trophy exit.

The 2-2 draw with Hayes and Yeading United went to penalties, and the decisive moment for Roche came in the shootout. He appeared to suffer the injury as he dived in vain to keep out the hosts’ third spot-kick from Ross Derham.

He stayed on. He refused to walk away.

Clearly in pain, Roche still faced the remaining penalties, grimacing as he tried to get Jersey over the line. The drama ended with Brendan Matthew burying the winning kick for Hayes, sealing a 4-1 shootout victory and sending the Bulls out of the competition.

Only then did the full extent of the damage begin to emerge.

Roche has been Jersey Bulls’ first-choice keeper at the start of this campaign, starting both of their matches so far and making 11 appearances for the island side in the 2025-26 season.

Now the coaching staff must quickly find an answer in goal.

The schedule offers no sympathy. Jersey are back in action on Tuesday evening, away to Moneyfields in the Isthmian League South Central, and they will have to navigate the coming months without the man who has anchored their defence.