Jets Shock Saints
St Albans City 0 Jets 3
Herts Senior Cup - Quarter Final
20th January 2009
Jets celebrate Jamie Arthur's 80th minute strike
Oxhey Jets pulled off the result of their season so far with a stunning 3-0 victory away at St. Albans City, from the Conference South, in the Quarter Finals of the Herts Senior Cup.
The first half had been goal-less with Jets very much under pressure from St Albans throughout, and relying on rare counter attacks to ease the pressure. Pre match comments suggested that St Albans very much wanted to win this game as a confidence booster after last Saturday's 5-4 defeat to Bromley, and that they also saw the Herts Senior Cup as an opportunity to win some silverware, and City's attacking display made Jets happy to reach half time with the game all square.
St Albans did get the ball in the Jets net in the 40th minute but fortunately for Jets it was ruled out for an alleged foul on Jets 'keeper Chris Walker.
Then, just as on Saturday and several other games this season, Jets started the 2nd half on fire and in the 47th minute some great interplay between Wayne Gladdy and Adam Lowton, after Paul Turner had started the counter attack, ended with Adam Lowton slotting home a low shot for the opening goal for Jets.
St Albans came back at Jets, but Jets continued to hold them out. Jets then had to cope with losing the influential Paul Turner to injury, and then on 71 mins St Albans had a strong penalty appeal but the referee was clear that Nathan Roberts had made a good saving tackle.
Then, on 80 mins Jets doubled their lead when Nathan Roberts opened up the City defence with a pin point ball to Jamie Arthur who rounded the City 'keeper before making no mistake firing home past a retreating City defender.
City had an uphill battle now to get back into the game and, in the end, that gave Jets the opportunity to add a 3rd in the 90th minute with Jamie Arthur turning provider and providing a great ball for Adam Lowton to latch onto and drive home his 2nd goal of the game.
Manager Bennie Higham was full of praise for his team. "Everyone contributed to a great result. The defence couldn't be faulted; the midfield worked hard all night to limit City's attacking options; and our chances were well taken".
Jets Man of the Match award must go to Manager Bennie Higham who, with both Tim O'Mara and Chris Harding unavailable due to work commitments, made the tactical changes needed to set the side up to stifle the St Alban's attack.Despite all their pressure, St Albans hardly had a shot on target all night.
A great result for Jets, and a place in the Herts Senior Cup semi-finals, along with Stevenage Borough, Cheshunt and Leverstock Green. The draw is on 3 Counties radio at 7:20 pm on Friday.
