Red Card Swings the Balance

Jets 0 Colney Heath 2

Spartan Premier Division
07 August 2010

Jets lost their league opener against Colney Heath at the Boundary Stadium on Saturday in a scrappy fixture that was never going to be allowed to be a spectacle in a finicky, and at times fussy and baffling game.

There was little throughout the whole game to get excited about and little between the two sides, although the formation did not seem to suit Jets on the day. Warren Gladdy did look in the early exchanges as if he could settle and boss the midfield battle. That wasn’t to be, however, as after just sixteen minutes the turning point of the game arrived, Gladdy was twice caught by a Colney defender and then a small but evident kick out was administered on his ankle. The classy midfielder swung a kick at the Colney player in retaliation and although minimal contact to the boot was made on the grounded player, the officials saw the intent as enough for a straight red, but missed the first incident which was to be a problem of the afternoon.

Jets showed little concern for playing with the man down, and continued to match and play Colney in a fairly even half, with neither side really opening a clear cut chance, although it was Colney who had a good penalty appeal for hands turned down. 

The big turning point for Jets came in the first five minutes of the second half. Nathan Roberts did well to win a personal midfield duel, and played in Spencer Bellotti whose shot rattled the post with the ‘keeper beaten, the rebound caused some panic but Colney got the ball clear and the break went straight down Jets throat and CARL ASHTON (51min) smashed home a good net buster for the lead. 

The decisions were at times muddling, frustrating and baffling as both teams vented their feelings, while luckily keeping much self control, but the decider had Jets fuming more as PAUL ARMSTRONG (75min) converted from a clearly offside position to kill the game.

Jets will feel more than a little aggrieved, but were responsible for their own downfall, as a man down for so long at this level cannot be easy, but although the pre-season form was not evident, flashes of better things to come could be seen.

In honest reflection, two goals and two good penalty appeals for Colney vs. a post shot and little else of threat from Jets, edged the game to Colney Heath in a game most home supporters will be glad to quickly forget.