Mistakes cost Jets

Hoddesdon Town 4 Jets 3

F.A.Vase - 2nd Qualifying Round
19th September 2009

Jets again dipped out of a cup match to lower league opposition as the worst start to the season of the millennium continued. In the FA Vase game on Saturday, the injury stifled side was reshuffled once more but, again, dreadful mistakes were to prove costly, one by the match officials, which at this level of competition you would expect better.

Jets started brightly and chances began to appear, the understanding between man of the match Lee Inch and debutant Luke Beardsworth was promising from the kick off, and it was no surprise when after 15 minutes it was Luke Beardsworth who sent a rocket half volley from 25 yards into the net despite the keeper getting a touch.

More chances and goal attempts followed and the Hoddesden goalkeeper pulled off two magnificent saves to keep his side in the match. Then a three minute spell changed the game. Marc Ayres inexplicably rolled a soft ball across the penalty box straight to Hoddesdon’s Richard Howard who gleefully slotted for 1-1 after 27 minutes. Then, on the half hour, a Chris Harding clearance header was openly punched into the net by Town’s Lee Tombs and to the horror and amazement of everybody in the ground the match officials disgracefully missed the event and ran to the centre spot. 

Jets were poor for the rest of the half and were blasted my manager Benny Higham at half time. Things started well in the second half until the silly red mist again was Jets downfall. This time Michael Wyatt, given his first start of the season, was caught day dreaming near the half way line and as the forward chased off into the box Wyatt hunted him down and upended from behind for a blatant penalty. Lee Tombs slotted the penalty with ease to give Hoddesdon a 3-1 lead on 58 minutes.

Higham took off Wyatt and Marc Ayres and changed formation with Chris Ingham and Andrew Lomas joining the battle and Jets were to have their best period of the match. It was a big push and Lee Inch, Luke Beardsworth and Tim O'Mara all came within inches of the net before Tim O’Mara coolly slotted for 3-2.

Now Jets piled forward and Inch was unlucky to be given offside when breaking through. Jets pushed and pushed as Hoddesdon looked to run the clock down, and Jets really looked as if they would get the goal to take the tie into extra time.

Then another blunder effectively killed the game, The game had moved into added time with Jets pushing everyone forward. Hoddesdon got a break and Chris Harding was the only defender for Jets, but as he was twisted and turned, he was doing his job edging Town’s Richard Howard wide until Howard finally got a tame shot away from the angle. The ball went across keeper Joe Marsh, who seemed to smother with ease until the ball trickled out and into the side of the net. 4-2 to Hoddesdon, Game Over !!  

Jets still found the time to rally again and Luke Beardsworth pulled it back to 4-3 from the spot but there was no time left for Jets to try to get the equaliser. Another frustrating day for Jets, good play in parts but all the good work is being undone by unnecessary errors.