Barnett Brace Downs Ballers
Rising Ballers 0 Oxhey Jets 2
Cherry Red Combined Counties Division One
8th November 2025
Jets picked up three excellent points on the road to avenge the defeat earlier in the season against Kensington Rising Ballers, winning 0-2 at the Local club Northwoods ground.
Jets were boosted by the return of Jets top scorer, James Barnett, who had been having dreadful problems of late finding the net with endless chances being missed and costing games.
Jets, after a disappointing first half in the cup match, rewarded the substitutes who came on by giving them starts Today, and it worked, with Jets very much on the front foot and dominating early possession.
Owen Ayres intercepts and squares perfectly for James Barnett.
In it goes – a perfect start.
Provider and scorer.
On a good surface Jets we’re streaming forward and chances and shots from all angles. Still, it took a defensive error to open the early door when a defensive back pass was short and excellently spotted by Owen Ayres, who sprinted onto the loose ball and got there before the keeper, side-passing the ball to James Barnett to come in and slot into the empty goal with the keeper stranded.
Barnett’s shot blocked on the line.
Jets continued to stream forward, and a lucky break and desperate defending on the line stopped Barnett from adding to his total.
Important saves from David Nistor.
Any thoughts of a leisurely afternoon went out the door when Ballers really upped their game and had the upper hand for fifteen minutes when they were springing the back line, and three times David Nistor was needed to bravely go to feet to save Jets’ lead.
Simon Poulton, Tuesday’s MOM, followed up with another strong performance.
The break came at a good time for Jets, and in the second half, they regained the early control. Young Simon Poulton’s energy was as evident to Jets as it was on Tuesday, but the big plus on the day was the excellent form at centre half of Olly Pope, who was outstanding all day.
Barnett smashes home Jets second from a tight angle.
Jets were pushing forward, and strong defending was denying until a fantastic solo goal from the tightest of angles opened the game in Jets’ favour. No surprise it was James Barnett thundering a shot off the underside of the bar that left the keeper well beaten and 0-2 Jets.
The travelling Ultras were in fine voice.
Ballers were dejected but did well to hold at two, and Jets played out the points.
Superb Man of the Match performance from Olly Pope.
Man of the match was really a two-man race: the undoubted goal-scoring maestro James Barnett, or the first start at centre half for Olly Pope, and the decision went to Olly for a faultless 90-minute performance.
