Beardsworth 4-timer earns Jets a point
Langford 4 Jets 4
Spartan South Midlands Premier
28th December 2009
The Luke Beardsworth finishing master class was ruined when it failed to earn Jets the three away points at Langford on the bank holiday Monday. Luke’s calm control was not shown at the other end of the pitch and defensive and keeping mis-judgements were to cost two points.
The old adage of a game of two halves it really was, Jets dominated the first half and had taken the lead early on when LUKE BEARDSWORTH looked to have three times missed his chance before exquisitely chipping the advancing ‘keeper from wide on the edge of the box after 12 minutes.
Eight Minutes later and LUKE BEARDSWORTH again showed his composure and calmly slotted for 2-0.
Karl Bull will still be holding his head after a good weaving run by Wayne Gladdy was rolled to Bull to slot home a clear cut goal, but a complete mis-kick (bobble he says!!) left Karl looking to the sky.
Minutes later a cross ball fell to Nathan Roberts and everyone was waiting for the killer touch, but a small hesitation and the chance was shut down by the defenders as they gently nudged him wide and eased the danger.
Missed chances can be crucial and at the end of the game how misses like these can come back to haunt you. Jets really dominated the first period and Langford must have been so pleased to hear the half time whistle.
The second half was the opposite and a right old Christmas ding-dong bell was to develop. LEE HARMAN shot Langford back into the game after just five minutes, a low shot that Steve Duce got a good hand too, but the ball carried into the net (50min).
Langford now flew at Jets ,who it appears were still in the dressing room as they looked unorganised and clueless chasing the shadows of the buzzing Langford forwards. FOUR tackles were lost as a long run was taken into the box and squared for the simple tap in by MARK WRIGHT (55min) with no Jets defender near the unmarked player.
Jets were clearly rattled and the passing went from awful to downright atrocious. Jets were under the cosh and struggling to hold on, but the Ace in the pack was buzzing for Jets today and LUKE BEARDSWORTH cheekily dropped the ball just under the bar (65min) to restore Jets lead and hopefully settle them down again.
This was not to be as the lead lasted just seven minutes and MARK WRIGHT completed his brace with a shot from a free-kick over the rooted keeper’s head.
Jets were then let off the hook as Langford twice found the net but were saved by the assistants flag, before LUKE BEARDSWORTH curled a delightful ball into the side of the net to restore Jets advantage 4-3 (82minutes) . Beardsworth went through again and a super tackle denied him, although he was injured in the fall and needed time to recover as his miss was a blow below the belt!!.
With the ruled out goals, and now behind again, it looked like it must be the final nail for the unlucky Langford team, if the rickety Jets defence could just hold on for the final eight minutes. NO was the answer and a high ball into the Jets penalty area was tamely headed over the Jets defenders and ‘keeper Duce by BEN L’HONRE (86min) for 4-4.
On reflection the point each was right for the neutrals, Langford had to reshuffle and attack from two down and worked hard for it, and could have had more, Jets were angry and manager Benny Higham described the second half as a disgrace and about the worst he has seen as he blasted his players in the dressing room.
Man of the match, Luke Beardsworth by a country mile, his finishing and four goals deserved more.
