Valiant Jets outclassed by Chalfont

 

Jets 1 Chalfont St Peter 6

Spartan Premier Division
24 August 2010

Jets knew they faced a big challenge tonight as they hosted league leading Chalfont St Peter. In direct contrast to Jets losing their 4 opening league games, Chalfont had won all their four games, scoring 10 and conceding just 3 goals.

Jets brought Luke Beardsworth back into the team to test his fitness ahead of Saturday's F.A. Cup tie. Ant Shepherd made his first start this season whilst Colin Jenkins and Wayne Gladdy were out from last Saturday's starting line-up.

Jets played well in the first half but still found themselves 2-0 down against an outstanding Chalfont team. Jets were unlucky to go one down when, after Spencer Bellotti only half cleared, a complete miss-hit shot took a wicked deflection past Sam Styles.

Ant Shepherd went close to levellling it for Jets with a super free-kick that rattled the crossbar with the Chalfont 'keeper beaten.

Chalfont then made it 2-0 with an outstanding goal when, after a Jets attack had broken down with a poor pass, they put together a rapid counter attack with some sweet passing before sliding the ball past Jets 'keeper Styles.

Jets suffered with injuries in the first half, losing both Luke Beardsworth and Andrew Lomas. They then had Steve Brown carried off with an ankle injury early in the second half.

It looked like Chalfont would make it three on the hour when Lee Grace tripped a Chalfont forward in the area, but Sam Styles pulled out a good save to keep it at 2-0. Then, a minute later, Jets gave themselves hope when, after a Tim O'Mara effort was saved by the Chalfont ' keeper, Lewis Putman, who had been one of the substitutes brought on for injuries, stepped in and fired home a superb 25-yard drive into the top of the net. 2-1 to Chalfont.

Any thoughts Jets might have had that they could get something from the game were short lived as the goal spurred Chalfont on to higher levels still. Although Jets kept it to 2-1 for 10 minutes, they then folded in the final twenty. Chalfont's tormentor in chief was Terrell Lewis who looked well capable of playing at a much higher level.

Chalfont made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when they took full advantage of an Ant Shepherd miss-kick to virtually walk the ball into the Jets' net. Two minutes later it was 5-1 as Jets tired and Chalfont went on the rampage.

Chalfont made it six from the penalty spot after Warren Gladdy tripped a Chalfont attacker.

Despite the scoreline, a brave effort from Jets that faded as Jets tired but, at the end, it was just not good enough to face a team of this quality.