Jets Inches away from Toppling Leaders

Jets 1 Colney Heath 1

Spartan South Midlands Premier
6th November 2009

You would think that a 1-1 draw with league leaders Colney Heath would be a welcome result, but Jets sat silent in their changing room as if beaten, after a mistake by ‘keeper Joe Marsh cost them all three points just minutes from time in this nail biting hard fought match.

The first half was no real spectacle as two cautious sides tentatively battled and counteracted each others moves. Jets can feel rightly aggrieved after Jamie Arthur was flattened in the penalty box and amazingly the referee waved on the appeals, with only a yellow card caused by a over zealous assistant to Jamie to show for his pains and most Jets people disgust. Jets are not getting a break at the moment and General Manager John Elliott is beginning to feel someones got it in for Jets! The half ended 0-0 and was about right.

The second half was more entertaining and it seemed as the minutes ticked away that both teams were striving for the dramatic win. Lee Grace saved Jets after Heath rounded keeper Marsh and a goal looked the only outcome, but a spectacular clearance off the line by Grace saved the day.

The turning point was the introduction of Lee Inch from the bench. Jets started to flow and Luke Beardsworth and Tim O'Mara were both denied by outstanding saves, O’Mara was 1 on 1 clear and his blistering shot looked in but a flying save by the Heath ‘keeper denied him. 

Lee Inch then thought he had scored with a amazing overhead kick, but was denied by an assistant’s flag. Then, with just six minutes to go, Andrew Lomas cut open the defence with a pin point ball and LEE INCH calmly slotted Jets into the lead.

Most thought that Jets had scored the decisive goal but, in a horrible twist three minutes from time, Joe Marsh hesitated and spilled the ball and as Lee Grace cleared from the line the ball smashed against the hesitant Marsh's back and rebounded back into the net.

On the whistle it was clear to see who was the more happy team, as Colney, with the help of other results went further clear at the top of the league. As said at the start, a very very good point tinged only with disappointment at the two dropped.