Jets Young Guns Reach St Mary's Final
Berkhamsted 1 Jets 2
St Mary's Cup Semi-Final
9th February 2010
Oxhey Jets reached their first final in two years on Tuesday night with a 2-1 away win at Berkhamsted to avenge the 4-2 home defeat by Berkhamsted in the league cup earlier in the season.
Manager Benny took one of his youngest cup squads to the semi-final, with Wayne Gladdy, Tim O’Mara and Chris Harding missing from the experienced players. Spencer Bellotti was called in for only his second start in four months in what has been an injury racked season, and young Michael Wyatt started at full back, with Michael Bishop coming up for his first team debut and Myles Stephenson joining him on the bench.
Jets started brightly and from the off the man of the match elect Lee Grace was outstanding in his role against his former club. In midfield, the trio of the unflappable Nathan Roberts, young Bellotti, in an unfamiliar role, and Lee Inch was dominant.
On a difficult surface both teams adjusted there game and Berkhamsted seemingly went for the longer ball as Jets opted for the short passing game. In truth neither side looked like opening the scoring as the defences held strong, but Jets did open the scoring (25mins) with their first shot on target. LEE GRACE raced down the wing, overlapped and shot low and hard and found the net from a tight angle that would disappoint the ‘keeper.
Luke Beardsworth had a cracking shot that produced the best save of the match to hold Jets at 1-0, but then in the 44th minute Jets edged further in front as LEE ARMITT finished off a super run to drive high into the net for the 2-0 half time lead.
The second half was the opposite as Berkhamsted got the start they needed, pulling one back early as Bywater was punished for giving the ball away in midfield and the quick counter was forced home by LAWRENCE BUNKER, in a close call with the Oxhey ‘keeper.
Berko’s tails were up and Jets wobbled big. Berkhamsted’s tactical change in midfield gave them the edge and Jets were overrun and struggling to get the game back for twenty minutes.
Berkhamsted continued to push, but Jets started to create dangerous counter attacks on the break and were denied a few times by a tight assistant’s flag.
In one scramble Jets were denied four times with Armitt finally thumping the post, and Bellotti missing the rebound from just wide of the post. But still Berko pushed for the equaliser.Jets continued to rely on the counter and they must have thought the killer touch was coming when Luke Beardsworth went clear but, having opted for the square lay off for Armitt, Berkhamsted were able to scramble it clear.
The final minutes were frantic, as semi-finals are, but both teams called and screamed in both belief and at times wishful hope for penalties and decisions that were all turned down.
Jets were more than glad to hear the final whistle. There was nothing between the sides and it was a hard fought battle of a game played out by all three teams! Jets have turned a dreadful start to the season round into a positive finish, blooding young players who are learning their trade at a higher level, and they can all be very proud of their contribution so far.
St Mary’s Cup Final: Bank Holiday Monday 3:00pm at Hemel Town
Jets were also pleased to hear that Tom Inch had his knee operation today for an injury that has kept him out of the game since the match at Hertford on the 17th October. We wish Tom a good recovery, and there is now a Cup final for him to target his recovery by.
