Jets steal the points

 

Stotfold 2 Jets 3

Spartan Premier Division
31 August 2010

Tim O'Mara was outstanding in this first league win of the season for Jets at Stotfold.

This really will be remembered as the lucky escape as Jets were battered in the second half, but somehow hung on for a stoppage time winner.

The game started all Jets even though more injuries again caused changes for the luckless Oxhey team, This time Liam Hanley was called up for his club debut straight into the first team, following Ben Alexander having broken ribs confirmed at the hospital.

Jets dominated and TIM O'MARA opened the scoring after just 9 minutes, his shot took a deflection and went in off the post.

Seconds later Lee Armitt touched the top of the bar, and then found the net but was denied by an assistant’s flag. LEE ARMITT then went at the defence and was brought down for a definite penalty and took it himself and converted for 2-0.

Jets looked rampant but things started to turn and a Stotfold attack became a threat when Ant Shepherd committed and was beaten and they drove in, Wayne Gladdy was just out of reach and the villagers pulled one back. 

The balance was now even until the break.

Nobody was ready for for the complete u-turn the game was to take, Jets were battered second half, it was a one sided onslaught, it was really one way with last gasp defending from Jets who battled, threw legs, arms, and heads in the way of the ball, and got some help as well from the post and the crossbar.

Jets held on until just six minutes from time, when Steve Brown brought down a Stotfold forward and it was 2-2 from the spot, again the referee got it right.

Jets at this stage would have bought a point, Stotfold had Jets Man of the Match Tim O'Mara twice head off his own line, Sam Styles denied them with save after save and as stoppage time ticked away Jets felt they must get the point that they had really dug in for.

The pressure was eased as the clock ticked down when Jets had what may well have been their first excursion into their opponents penalty area of the second half. Then, from a resulting corner, skipper Chris Ingham kept cool and three times fired in and now it was Stotfold clearing their lines, but it fell to the outstanding TIM O'MARA in the 93rd minute and he blasted high into the net for the winner.

At last Jets have points on the table and a good week with this league victory coming on the back of Saturday’s F.A. Cup win.