Jets battle through the Colney mud

London Colney 1 Jets 3 (aet)

Reserves Challenge Trophy Quarter Final
2nd March 2010

Back to business for the Jets after two postponed fixtures due to the inclement weather conditions, as they travel to London Colney on a gloomy evenings encounter of the quarter final of the Challenge Trophy.

The fixture commenced with both sides appearing not to be too keen to play any short ball football owing to the condition of the pitch surface, which was a result of the weather conditions. The Jets certainly found the going tough as they struggled to make their mark, but their efforts were to bear fruit at an unexpected early stage, when in the 16th minute they were awarded a free kick on the left, which saw the ball enter a very crowded Colney goal area and find the welcome foot of Anthony Shepherd to drive it into the net and the Jets opener for 0-1

The remainder of the half found the game drag on, with the Jets making little or no progress, with some wild passing and often being bogged down in their own half by not releasing the ball quickly enough. When either side did find time to make a break and find time to head for goal, ground conditions restricted the power of the shots, with both keepers making the necessary saves, which held the score to the break.

The second half found little change in the pattern of play with the pitch now cutting up even more as play went on. Again, as with the first half, both keepers made saves to ensure there was no change in the score, and as time passed it was looking like the Jets would hold on to their one goal advantage, but in the 72nd minute they were to receive a blow, as Colney were awarded a penalty which was converted, and see the Colney squad given hope with a 1-1 score-line.

As the time passed and the dreaded extra time was looming ever closer, the Jets at last found some form and the pressure started to turn onto Colney, but the whistle sounded to bring the ninety minutes to an end.

The first half of extra time found the Jets moving up a pace, and with the extra time play just in its 6th minute they were awarded a corner which found a well struck ball find Adam Lowton climbing high to head the ball into the net and once again the Jets were ahead at 1-2.

The first fifteen minutes of extra time ended and as play commenced the last of the Jets substitutions was made for the final fifteen. With the watch standing on the 29th minute the Jets made one last push in the centre, and the ball was collected by that substitution, Carl Wigg, who sent a powerful shot past the Colney ‘keeper and bring the Jets tally for the evening to 1-3

The extra time after a hard, heavy match in such conditions found a very spirited performance from the Jets side.

Substitutes used: Mark Ayres, Jamie Prouten and Carl Wigg

Man of the match: Tyler Connor