Jamie's Double Sinks Rovers

Jets 4 Hemel Rovers 1

St Mary's Cup Quarter Final
20th October 2009

Jets won the game but the bravery honours go to West Herts reigning Champions Hemel Rovers for their brave effort in the St Mary’s Cup tonight.

Jets reshuffled their team with the welcome return of Ian Bywater, Joined by Spencer Bellotti and Jamie Arthur from the bench.

The first twenty minutes were action-less with the advantage going to Hemel who attacked in numbers taking the game front on at Jets, and really it was not much of a surprise when, on 23 minutes, Steve Brown recklessly brought down the Hemel forward, and the referee gave the penalty. Jets picked up two silly yellow cards for skipper Chris Ingham and Chris Harding arguing the point, because the referee changed his mind from giving a free-kick outside the box to giving a penalty, a change of mind yes BUT the correct decision. The penalty was well converted by Hemel to give them a deserved lead.

Jets had to wait until the 42nd minute to get their first shot on target, but what a beauty it was as Jets Man of the Match Luke Beardsworth hammered home another long range goal to add to his tally. Half Time 1-1

The second half was really Jets as Hemel ran out of steam and threatened less, and Hemel’s job was made all but impossible when Ben Chandler was taken out as he homed in on goal, and the red card went straight up. The resulting free-kick also went up as well, high into the sky and threatening only the Heathrow flight path, as did most of Jets free-kicks all night.

The turning point was the introduction of Jamie Arthur for his first start since August. Jamie’s running and his pace changed the game in Jets favour as possession was turned into goal threats.

Jets took the lead when Nathan Roberts threaded Jamie Arthur through on 70 minutes and he blistered the net for 2-1.

Manager Bennie Higham then threw Spencer Bellotti on for fifteen minutes for his welcome return from the ankle injury that has kept him out for two months. Jets were now attacking at pace and Luke Beardsworth worked hard to win a lost cause and square for Jamie Arthur to get his second and Jets third.

The chances kept on coming now as 10-man Hemel gave up and a Bobby Harding "Toe Punt" completed the scoring.

The score flattered, Hemel can be proud of their evenings work, and Jets will be pleased to be through to the semi-final in the new year.