Jets Push Berkhamsted Close in the St Mary’s Final

Berkhamsted 1 Oxhey Jets 0
St Mary’s Cup Final
14th May 2019

Jets did themselves proud in this St Mary’s Cup Final, up against Berkhamsted who have just finished 6th in the Southern League Division One.

Jets went close with a Sean Giordmaina shot from the edge of the area, but then needed an exceptional double save from keeper Matty Evans not to go behind.

Half time and 0-0 and all to play for. The game remained tight and competitive, but the stalemate was broken in the 64th minute when Summerfield scored for Berkhamsted, applying the finishing touch from Matty Evans save from a whipped in free-kick.

Henry Marku got his marching orders a few minutes later for some abusive remarks to the match official which left Jets playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men.

Jets still showed their spirit and were still able to have reasonable possession, and they gave it a right go in the final 10 minutes, with a couple of chances going close. Berkhamsted held firm, though, to lift the trophy. Congratulations to Berkhamsted on their win and for their season as well. Well done as well though to Jets who pushed Berkhamsted all the way, and have had a terrific season as well, building through the year to finish an excellent 8th place in the Spartan Premier.

Fist half highlight was Matty’s stupendous double save

Berkhamsted scored with a follow up from a whipped in free-kick, Jets pushed hard in the closing minutes but to no avail.

 

Reserves Denied In Tight Aubrey Cup Final

New Salamis 2 Oxhey Jets Reserves 1
Aubrey Cup Final
6th May 2019

Jets Reserves finally dipped their colours in the Aubrey Cup final at the hands of Premier Division Promoted New Salamis. Jets, though, can have nothing but pride following the tense, tight battle taking the Premier side all the way to the whistle.

The available contrast was massive, Jets a young side fresh out of under 18s football, padded by some experienced older heads to guide them, the opponents with an ex Norwich player and able to fund a holiday return air ticket for one of the players to make the game.

Jets hassled and battled and unsettled the Premier side with the slope first half and looked good for the lead they gained when Andre Lopes hammered home from a tight angle to give jets the advantage.

They probably needed more with the slope and could and should have extended their lead when presented with a 3:2 situation in the area, but no one took responsibility and shot, and the passing broke down, and a golden chance lost to put real pressure on. Jets were getting caught mainly by experience as some struggled to adjust their personal game to the less time on the ball being given to them leading to snatched loose passes.

The second half against the slope Salamis upped their game, and the physical side of it and Jets struggled with off the ball incidents three times leaving Jets players flat out, and massive unrest off the field to the officials demanding more protection for the seemingly tactic change.

Salamis were now on top and Jets defending, but it was tight and effective, and Jets looked to be holding even against the harder tactics.

An excellent goal, though, levelled the match as Salamis drew the defender and side passed to the oncoming scorer who drifted between two defenders unnoticed to slot 1-1.

The winner as it turned out was from the spot, and it was inexperience and drawn as the substitute ran the ball to the goal line, he drew the foul that was not needed, just shepherd it out, and the referee had no hesitation going straight to the spot and 1-2.

Jets wobbled and another penalty was given, this time a con, as at last the Lino who had missed all the off-ball incidents decided the player was tripped, but justice was done as it was blasted well wide.

Now came Jets best period as in the last ten they really pushed for the equaliser and there were scrambles, a big chance headed wide and many free kicks, unfortunately, that was a problem as Jets failed to drop them away from the very experienced keeper who was mostly presented with catching practice.

Jets almost deserved to take it into extra time just as in honest reflection Salamis probably just deserved to nudge over the line to win the very prestigious Aubrey cup.

Jets had the man of the match player in young John Gyabaah which was a further credit to the side.

Jets can only be proud of their performance in this final and the competition just as a Reserve side even reaching the final and beating the Premier Champions on the way, but today they were edged out, just !! So learn from it then get heads up and be proud of what they have produced this season.

Tony Larkin, Managing Director of Reserve Team Sponsors Platinum Scaffolding was delighted with the club’s season and commented: “Congratulations again on the Reserves achievement this season, I’m very proud that they carried our logo”.

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27th April – One of Those Days!

A glorious day for Jets with 3 comeback wins.

The first team came from 3-0 down to win their final league game 4-3 at Crawley Green, a result that leaves them with their 3rd best ever finish in the Spartan Premier – what a difference 12 months makes!

The Reserves continued their unbelievable season to defy the odds and beat unbeaten HertsSenior Premier Division Champions Letchworth to make the Aubrey Cup Final. A performance of the highest calibre, levelling from 0-2 and 2-3 down before winning the game in the final moments.

Jets Vets completed a fantastic triple, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Cuffley Reserves 3-2 and guaranteeing them a 3rd place finish at worst.

All 3 match reports below:-

No More Easy Jets

Crawley Green 3 Oxhey Jets 4
Spartan South Midlands Premier
27th April 2019

Jets had to reshuffle yet again but boy oh boy did some of the lads say they want their cup final shirts today.

Jets went to a superb Luton training ground on a perfect Astro pitch to play in-form Crawley Green in the final league match of the season. It was the last chance for players to bid for their cup final shirts.

What a mess, though, the start was, the defence was woeful and the attack wasteful, and Jets very quickly went behind, just 4 minutes 1-0 when Draycott slotted well from inside the area.

Jets were actually quite unlucky when Johnson hit the bar with the keeper beaten, but Matty Evans was just as busy making many saves, as was the Green’s keeper, but Jets squandered many opportunities. 1-0 became 3-0 in less than half hour when Draycott added a second and Nimi slotted, Jets were becoming Easy Jets at the end of the Luton airport runway.

With half time in sight, Kyle Johnson slotted for Jets from close range to restore some pride.

Half time Crawley Green 3 Jets 1

Tim was calm, firm and very clear of his expectations and the team responded like the roar of the planes overhead zooming to their destinations, it was a different set up with the defence solid and streaming forward and a superb long shot dipping over the keeper on the hour by Nick Kerley set Jets up again 3-2.

Now it was attack attack attack. Luke Jones was combining with Giordmaina’s excellent work rate to cause problems with Johnson and Kerley waiting to pounce. Pounce they did when, after the Green’s keeper made two superb saves, the ball ran out to Nick Kerley outside the box who cheekily rolled the ball with precision into the net with the keeper still flat on the floor 3-3 (77min)

Jets now fancied it big time, and a draw was not on their minds, green countered with two superb saves by Evans as all caution went to the wind, but Jets were menacing and were denied by excellent goalkeeping.

The breakthrough was surely there as Kyle Johnson was upended, but to the horror of Jets, nothing was given.

It was tense, but the hosts looked to have hung on, but Jets pushed and pushed and the ball looked in from a Deji header but he was denied on the goal line, and the player instantly dismissed for the hands.

Now Jets have missed the last four penalties, and with a minute to go, this was it. The supporter behind the goal did his best to put off the youngest starter on the pitch for Jets as the boss gave young Sean Giordmaina the job.

Breath held he held his calm, the keeper blinked first and he rolled the ball into the net. Jets went wild, it meant nothing more than an 8th equal place finish pushed behind Arlesey by goals scored ( hmm remember that rule last season on the last day 😂😂). With the final whistle, it was pride, spirit and belief restored after a couple of dodgy games.

One game left now, the cup final v Berkhamsted Town at Hemel FC on May 9th.

Man of the match Luke Jones, the man of the season Tim O’Sullivan and his team and staff as first-team football again has some of that old Jets spirit back.

Valiant Reserves Defy The Odds To Make Aubrey Cup Final

Oxhey Jets Reserves 4 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 3
Aubrey Cup Semi-Final
27th April 2019

Big ask today, Herts intermediate cup winners and promoted Jets Reserves vs Premier Division and unbeaten champions Letchworth.

Jets had the first minutes, and it all looked promising, but Lady Luck deserted them and Jets thumped the post the rebound causing a clean break and Letchworth scoring 1-0. Jets were all at sea and could do nothing right, and it looked all over as the Premier side made it 2-0 after just 12 minutes.

Jets responded and what a response with two goals in three minutes in the 40th and 43rd minutes to send the lads in 2-2 and the break.

Jets suffered another blow (55min) as they went behind 2-3 now the big test was there could they recover again?

Yes, Luke Peters again drew level 3-3 (59min) and it was game on big time who would get that winner.

Jets pulled it out the bag just a few minutes later from the spot and Andre Lopes calmly slotted the winner and a place in the Aubrey cup final on May Bank Holiday Monday at Colney Heath.
Jets man of the match John Gyabaah

Jets (first) have been in the Aubrey cup final twice before while in the Herts County League, beating Sun Sports and Sandridge Rovers, so fingers crossed for a hat trick.

Excellent performance by all concerned.

Vets Comeback Win At Cuffley

Cuffley Reserves 2 Oxhey Jets Vets 3
Herts Senior County League -Reserves 2
27th April 2019

It was a big game at Cuffley Reserves for Jets Vets where three sides can win the runners up spot in the league and Jets edged into that spot besting Cuffley 2-3, coming back from 2 down.

George Davies opened the comeback and Wayne Gladdy levelled the tie, Paul Danslow netted the winner.

Again nothing but praise for Tony and all the Jets loyal “old crocs” who as a Vets side are still competing and getting amongst the title hunters in a normal age group league.

This season pride is very, very restored all around.

We are and always will be one club and this season we are again.