Jets Shock Aylesbury
Jets 4 Aylesbury 3
F.A.Vase
5th September 2009
While Oxhey Jets were beaming across the advertising boards at Wembley Stadium in front of a world wide audience during the England match, the team were causing a major upset in the FA Vase, when they beat a team much fancied to go all the way to Wembley. Jets were still remembering the 3-0 hammering at Aylesbury just two weeks ago, then to make things worse the loss of Jamie Parsons, Steve Brown,Tim O'Mara, Colin Jenkins, Paul Haynes, Matt Tyas, and keeper Joe Marsh all added to the problems. Time for the kids, but you don't win with the kids !! Up stepped Tom Inch and Spencer Bellotti andJets season turned on its head. David Jacks was called from the West Herts team to keep goal for the first time this season as manager Benny Higham reshuffled his patched up squad.
Jets started from the whistle and had a chance in the opening minute When Ian Bywater back from injury charged forward to assist Paul Turner. The reprieve for Aylesbury was to be short lived when after just four minutes Spencer Bellotti worked hard to put PAUL TURNER in who won a block tackle to slot calmly for the opening goal, and the boost Jets wanted.
After twelve minutes Jets should have gone another goal up when Turner was again through but opted to square to Bywaters whose shot was blocked. Jets were to pay when on fifteen minutes former Sheffield Wednesday Player Dean Brennan shot Aylesbury level from the spot after David Jacks came rushing out and was adjudged to have taken the forward down, with contact minimal. Aylesbury now were on the attack and Jets had to soak up long periods of pressure, but on the break Spencer Bellotti lobbed the keeper, but was denied by the crossbar.
On the Half hour Paul Turner laid on SPENCER BELLOTTI who hit a curler from a full thirty yards to put Jets back in the lead and open his competitive goal account for his new club. The Turner/Bellotti combination worked again just ten minutes later when Turner again opened the defence and SPENCER BELLOTTI calmly went around the keeper to slot for 3-1 Jets.
The contrast of the two changing rooms was apparent as Jets were on a high and the Aylesbury walls were blistering. As expected the first fifteen minutes was all Aylesbury pushing forward with menace, but Jets countering dangerously on the break. During this time Chris Ingham saved Jets with an outstanding tackle in the penalty area as a goal looked inevitable, then Harding and Ayres had to be getting back to their best to combat the aeriall threat.
Jets looked to have seen off the threat when Roberts lost a loose ball and Aylesbury whipped in a bullet cross to the back post and DEAN BRENNAN was again on hand to head home for 3-2. What would Jets do now, battle or fold, well just two minutes later the answer was clear. Jets pushed forward and Aylesbury were penalised for a back pass which led to the keeper getting a harsh yellow card, Paul Turner was again the architect as he gently squared to LEE GRACE who hammered home high into the net. 4-2 Jets and breathing space again.
Still Aylesbury would not give up and pushed hard and long and pinned Jets back again as the game took on a typical cup frenzy that only the FA competitions deliver. MARK BOYCE pulled one back with two minutes to go, and Jets had to dig in hard for the two plus stoppage for an incredible victory over a first class team.
Jets celebrated a massive moral boost for the team that has been struggling in confidence and the kids grew up and paid a major part in turning the dreadful start to the season, into a happy day. Wayne Gladdy and Spencer Bellotti shared the man of the match award, but much of the victory was down to Paul Turner who played a part in all four goals. How fitting that Wembley stadium and the FA were displaying theJets name around the pitch on such a day for the club.
