Spirited Jets Storm into County Final

Jets 4 Boreham Wood 1

Herts Intermediate Cup Semi Final
20th February 2010

The Jets at home, for what was the most important game so far in their season, as they face Boreham Wood in the semi final of the Herts FA Intermediate Cup.

Once again from the whistle, the Jets made in-roads into the opponents half and made their intentions very clear, with the watch showing just the 7th minute the Jets took possession of the ball in the centre circle and traced a path through the centre of the Boreham Wood half with some fine passing football with the final receiver of the ball being Adam Lowton, who opened the Jets account with a hard drive into the net 1-0

In the fifteenth minute the Jets were to take a blow to their squad as long serving Ian Holdom fell victim to a knee injury, which was to end his involvement in the game and saw the introduction of Jamie Arthur.

Both sides fought hard for possession and as time passed, it was the Jets who raised their game up a gear which was to be rewarded in the 43rd minute as they entered the Boreham Wood area and the entry was brought to an abrupt end when the Jets were awarded a penalty, which was powerfully converted by Adam Lowton to make his brace for the day and extend the Jets lead to 2-0 before the break.

The second half was to start with the arrival of a snow/sleet storm which made conditions difficult for both squads, but as the weather improved, so did the Boreham Wood attacks.

In the 65th minute Wood were now the recipients of a penalty decision which was to bring them some hope as it was converted by the number nine player and reduce the Jets lead to 2-1.

Wood then piled on the pressure and the odds were strongly in the senior reserve teams favour of saving the game, when a match changing save by Jets keeper Steve Duce. Woods were clear on a 1on1 and Duce stretched every inch of his 6ft plus lanky frame to palm away the chance with an amazing save.

The Jets response was then swift, as a run on the left by Jamie Arthur saw him send a powerful shot, which struck the base of the Boreham Wood upright. It was just two minutes later that they were to receive a cruel blow to their chances of making the game close, in the 67th minute a run on the left by the Jets found a cross into the edge of the goal area met by a desperate clearance attempt by the number six player finding his own net for an own goal which was welcomed by the Jets as their lead extended to 3-1.

The time passed with the Jets now in control as they made their pressure felt with some fine runs on both flanks.

With the game entering it’s final minutes there was still time for a final goal, and this was produced in the 86th minute by Jamie Arthur as he took possession of the ball on the edge of the centre circle, took on several players before sending the ball into the Boreham Wood net and complete the afternoons work for the Jets at 4-1.

A memorable fixture for the Jets side as they now look forward to the final, after what was a spirited performance by all the squad.

Bob Wyatt was elated after the game, he has been connected with Jets since 1968 and their Boys Brigade team days and has in his two years in charge of the reserves has transformed them from a mid-table team to last years Molten Reserve Division championship at the first attempt, and now their first ever County Cup final.

Jets General Manager John Elliott described the result as "A proud moment for the club, and everybody involved with the victory"

Substitutes used: Jamie Arthur, Jamie Prouten and Tyler Connor.

Man of the match: Owen Deamer