Jets Saved By Last Gasp Equaliser
Spartan South Midlands Premier
20th March 2018
Jets got a crucial point with a 97th-minute equaliser at Northwood against London Tigers.
Jets wanted and needed more, but this was a can’t lose fixture and boy did they leave it late to save the match. Just 10 seconds before the end to be exact in a fiery game in the relegation reaches of the league.
Tigers take the lead from the penalty spot.
Jets went behind most frustratingly, again overplaying at the back when they had the dead ball. Despite management pleas not to do it the short kick and interplay getting nowhere put them in trouble. Mandeville upended the striker, and despite a long, long argument that it was outside the area a penalty was given and converted.
Jets were on top in possession and chances, but Tigers converted their first shot on target, and again Jets were behind.
Continuous fouls hampered the flow.
Jets huffed and puffed, but Tigers were running the clock down most the time and foul after foul ruined most of the flow of the game.
Jets had to come out second half and get something. Tactical and formation changes led to Jets being open to the counter, but they had to take the risk.
Strong claims for what looked like a clear hand ball were denied.
A big call for hands and foul on Blunden both led to lengthy penalty appeals. The Tiger’s keeper was also breaking Jets hearts with outstanding saves.
A series of outstanding saves from the tigers keeper kept denying Jets.
Tigers had a spell where they could and should have put Jets to bed missing some chances, this along with mindless time wasting and fouls was to cost them the points in a bizarre twist of justice at the end.
Every free kick, throw in, or elongated stoppage for injuries was being pleaded by Jets to stop the watch. It was genuinely mindless, and as they failed to convert and Jets upped the pressure, the hosts started to lose their heads. Two Tigers players were dismissed for second fouls in the last five minutes.
Jets could only hammer the ball forward and try to grab something. Then a very heavy foul was to give Jets one last chance, and they knew it was the last as the ref said 10 seconds to go !!
Abs Pant fires his shot at goal.
The Tigers keeper almost gets to it.
He can’t get there and Jets final effort is in the net.
The free kick was scrambled clear, BUT Ryan Keeley Jets keeper was in the box and got the loose ball and calmly squared to Abs Pant, who joined Jets from Tigers to spectacularly hammer home from distance to grab a point.
It’s there! Jets start to celebrate their late, late equaliser.
97th minute celebrations!
The referee ended the match on the restart.
It was not the best, but it was critical and tonight Jets players turned up and joined the fight that can yet save the side from the drop.
Man of the match went to Brad Thompson who tidied up and settled back into Jets nicely and added calm to the back line.
Match officials