Oxhey Jets 2 Broadfields 1

Spartan South Midlands Premier
20th October 2020

Jets got a win at home to Broadfields at the Boundary Stadium, a close run thing but a wins a win as two goals from Lewis Putman split the teams in the 2-1 home win.

It was an entertaining game, good football match by all three teams, more chances created than of late so signs of things coming together.

It was still a bit rushed, and a long ball in the first half and the big chance was early when a suspiciously offside Broadfield’s attacker went clear but thumped it well wide of Partington’s goal.

Reece Cameron then had a one on one after good play but shot at the keeper.

Rob Partington was then called into action and made a good save at the post, and the half ended all square 0-0

Stuart Atkins changed the formation, and it worked instantly as Brad Sweeney came on for his debut and Jets became more attacking. It was Sweeney who provided the ball for Lewis Putman to open the scoring with a cool draw and slot 1-0 (48 mins).

A long ball over set Putman on his way to go clear and slot No2 and his second (67 mins).

Jets were in control, and two big penalty decisions did not go Jets way, firstly Brad Sweeney clipped and brought down when in on the keeper.

Then Sean Giordmaina had romped clear on the other side and was taken out against a clear last man that would usually have been a bolt-on penalty and straight red, but again nothing to the anger of Jets staff.

Meantime Brennan headed against the bar aided by excellent fingertips from the visiting keeper.

Then the shift around as Broadfields pulled one back and Jets wobbled. Now it was the visitors on the offensive and hunting the point with Jets playing the counter. Sideline nerves were being tested, but Jets held on to the win. Jets will feel it was fully deserved, Broadfields will think that they should have got the point.

Jets Carlsberg Man of the Match was Reece Cameron.

The officials did well, and despite turning down big penalty appeals were calm and collective all evening and did a good job.

Oxhey Jets 1 Leighton Town 4

Spartan South Midlands Premier
17th October 2020

Jets dropped three big points to one of the title big tips Leighton Town in front of a big crowd at the Boundary stadium. That’s a hard week for Jets facing the top two favourites for the title / promotion and despite a good showing just one point to show for it thanks to Darryl Brown’s late equaliser away at Colney Heath on Tuesday.

Jets did, I think, break one record, the quickest conceded SSML goal crossing the line just 12, yes 12 seconds after kick-off 0-1.

The game was competitive and even, but a gift in midfield left Leighton on the break, and a double error gave the referee no option but go to the penalty spot. Rob Partington made a superb save but with Jets players on the box line static the rebound was smashed home unchallenged 0-2 (25 mins).

Jets pushed for some seeds of a comeback with plenty of possession, but little imagination with the front two again starved of the telling ball except some from Louis Bircham, put in from the bench when Brennan failed to make kick-off.

An unsavoury moment on the half-hour mark as a dreadful “leg breaker” on Tom Gibson led to a mass protest of pantomime calls oh yes he did oh no he didn’t from the two sides, but the officials got it right with a straight red.

With Leighton down to ten men it was a chance for Jets to get back into the game. Jets had a lot of near-misses, but little on target and not many opportunities carved out despite the man advantage.

At the start of the second half, Jets were better, but in fairness, Leighton were demonstrating a defensive master class defending tight and springing the attack when Jets slipped. In the end, this was how Leighton got their third, they pounced on a Jets mistake, and the clean break converted as Jets again had no answer to the speed of the break 0-3 (73 mins).

An excellent solo goal for Lewis Putman gave Jets hope (74 mins) and chances followed.

Nick Kerley hit the post with the keeper beaten, but the team then self-destructed as newly on substitute Chris Blunden kicked out and again a spot on straight red by the official. Jets man advantage was gone, and the match effectively petered out and the stoppage time fourth (91 min) put a false reflection on what was still a deserved away win for Leighton Town.

There were two nominations for the Jets man of the match, Danny May and Louis Bircham. Manager Stuart Atkins split the vote in favour of Louis Bircham.

The size of the result was not reflective of the encounter, but the facts are there. In review, Jets look a team of individual performances but not a blended side at the moment.

(Match reports limited at the moment due to extenuating family circumstances – hope to get back to full coverage again at the weekend).

 

DUE TO COVID19 GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS, WHICH SEVERELY LIMIT BOTH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND THE ENTERTAINMENT WE CAN HAVE AT FUNCTIONS, WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO TAKE ANY BOOKINGS TO HIRE THE CLUB AT THIS TIME.