First Half Dominance Sees Jets Through To Semi-Final
Oxhey Jets 3 Westmill 2 Herts Centenary Trophy Quarter Final 11th January 2026
Jets advanced to the Hertfordshire Centenary trophy semi-final with a 3-2 home win over Westmill, dominating the first half but faltering in the second, narrowly securing the result. With Dominic Mosca just out of the hospital with pneumonia and Player of the Month David Lopes unwell, a reshuffle was needed. Jets started aggressively, but continued to struggle with missed chances.
Chances came and went, and Westmill, known for scoring freely, were always a threat on the counter.
Joe Entwistle-Wilkinson on the ground opens the scoring 1-0.
After sustained pressure, Joe Entwistle-Wilkinson swiveled and scored for a 1-0 lead (25 mins).
Liam Osborne (right) heads home Jets second 2-0.
Jets went straight back on the attack, and a superb near-post glancing header by Liam Osborne, just three minutes later, beat a packed defence 2-0 (28 mins).
Joseph Brown smashed home Jets third 3-0.
Jets pressed on, producing excellent play despite the wet pitch. Man of the match Joseph Brown’s strike extended the lead to 3-0 (34 mins).
At halftime, Olly Pope and Joe Reade, both unwell, were substituted. Two more changes followed on the hour, but the adjustments unsettled Jets. Westmill grew increasingly dangerous, pressing forward and capitalising as a defender drifted to fire in a thunderous goal and start their comeback, making it 3-1 (C. Allen, 65 mins).
Jets became unrecognisable—poor passes and game management. Westmill capitalised, and J Kaine’s goal made it 3-2 (73 mins).
As time ticked away, Jets shifted from controlling the game to desperately defending their lead and trying to counterattack. Despite creating several opportunities, they failed to convert, leaving them vulnerable and heightening concerns that missed chances could cost them the win.
Jets held on, and even as a committed Jets supporter, I didn’t think we would as the opponents streamed forward, but time ran out, and Jets just edged through, but no thanks to the dreadful second half showing, saved completely by a stunning first 45 minutes.
Man of the match was a clear-cut, unanimous choice: Joseph Brown, for the second match in a row, taking his move into midfield with both hands and a major reason for the first-half performance.
Patrick Brander denied by the post on his return.
Another positive after five months out with injury, the first twenty minutes back on the pitch for young winger Patrick Brander, who, despite being frustrated with himself over a couple of near misses, it will do him the world of good, and the realigned sights will soon return.
A win is a win, but very comfortable turned very uncomfortable in the classic game of two halves!!
Joe Entwistle on the ground opens the scoring 1-0.
Joseph Brown smashed home Jets third 3-0.
Liam Osborne (right) heads home Jets second 2-0.
Patrick Brander denied by the post on his return.
