Encouraging Start for Jets
Jets 2 St Albans 1
Hertfordshire Charity Cup Quarter Final
31st July 2010
Jets ended the 2009-10 season on a high with a win over St Margaretsbury in the Herts Charity Shield Final, a win that also brought with it an entry into this years Hertfordshire Charity Cup, and a quarter final fixture against another Saints team, this time it was St Albans from the Blue Square South.
Jets were happy to be playing higher league opposition in this far to early competitive season opener at the Boundary Stadium in what was their first ever appearance in the Hertfordshire Charity Cup.
For the third time in three cup meetings in recent seasons it was Jets who claimed the honours. Neither side can claim to have committed a full strength side, but history records the result and it is Jets who go through in the competition with their heads held high.
The cost to Jets could, however, be high as Lee Armitt suffered a heavy fall and was taken to hospital and the outcome was not good as news filtered back of a broken shoulder.
Jets started brightly and marksman Armitt was always dangerous, and his strike partner Spencer Bellotti was articulately playing in all around him with pin point passing.
Jets opened the Saints defence after just seven minutes when LEE ARMITT went clear and in is own style slotted past the City keeper low into the net. Jets looked their old selves playing the "keep ball" that they were known for a few seasons back, although they were prone to mistakes that led to heart stopping moments.
Twenty six minutes into the game and Armitt went fast into the box but a sickening fall left the striker in screaming agony and his game was over.
Former Wealdstone forward Ben Alexander came on for his debut and was one of the supporting headler contributors just a minute later as four Jets players headed on from a corner for SPENCER BELLOTTI to powerfully head into the net, and give Jets some breathing space.
In true Jets style they needed it as just three minutes later, when another loose moment opened the penalty box up for ROB QUATTROMINI to round keeper Sam Styes to pull a goal back.
Jets had the better of the few chances but both ‘keepers were sharp and on their games to deny any more goals.
The heat was draining and the game died away in the second half, with chances about even. Both sides hit the target from free-kicks around the box but both ‘keepers denied the attempt.
Jets did edge the contest and just about deserved their morale boosting third win over Saints to progress into the semi-final.
The match officials, led by Mark Mellor who had an outstanding game, named Jets Stevie Brown as the Jets man of the match. ( by a mile !! ).
A moments silence was well observed by players and supporters before the game for the late Mary Higham.
