An Amazing Day




Squadron Leader Bowden lays the wreath for the RAF fallen.


Tom Gibson lays the wreath for the Jets

Herts FA and police wreaths


Wreath laying by Jets youth

Oxhey Jets youth and the match referee, John Feenstra, step forward to lay their wreaths.


Wreaths for the Spartan South Midland Leagues and Referees

Wreaths for the RAF from the RAF association and from Oxhey Jets for Our Tom


Fred Weaving, a former Royal Marine commando and a long time friend of Oxhey Jets takes the salute.

Union colour bearer doesn’t flinch despite the deluge.


Ceremony over, the kids make a run for the stands!
The rain couldn’t put a dent into the Armistice 100 remembrance with RAF Icarus FC.
A moving ceremony with wreaths laid by the two team captains, Oxhey Jets youth, the match referee, representatives from the Hertfordshire FA, Spartan South Midlands League officials and referees, the Police, RAFA, and finally Lisa Hodges in memory of Private ‘Tom’ Lake.
Fred Weaving took the salute, and there was total stillness in the ground for the two-minute silence.
Match Report:
Jets Edge a Close Encounter
Oxhey Jets 2 RAF Icarus FC 1
Jets edged a close match 2-1, with Sean Giordmaina shooting from just inside the area to win the match with only a few minutes left.
Icarus started brightly and had the early chances, hitting one just wide and forcing a good save from Matty Evans in the Jets goal.
Jets then settled and, for a period, took control of the game. Leigh Stevens was controlling the midfield and Jets created chances. Leigh Stevens went close and then Nick Kerley fired a robust left-foot shot just wide.

A good save denies Sean Giordmaina in the first half.
Sean Giordmaina created a great opportunity but the Icarus keeper, who made several good saves, pushed Sean’s shot over the bar.

Young Ollie Lawford shoots Jets into the lead

Jets celebrate Ollie’s goal
Jets then got the lead, young Ollie Lawford the scorer, his shot getting a fortunate assist from the rain-sodden ground to beat the Icarus keeper.

Nick Kerley surges forward
Jets continued to look strong, and Nick Kerley fired in another left-footer that forced a good save from the keeper.
Despite Jets attacks, Icarus looked dangerous on the break. Tremendous pace up front and some well-planned counter attacks gave them their best opportunities of the half. Half Time 1-0.
The second half started very even with George Hobson denied by a good save, and then Matty Evans saving low at feet from an RAF attack.

It’s there. The Icarus equaliser hits the net.

Icarus delighted with their equaliser
Icarus then had their best period of the game as they fought for the equaliser, upping their pace and pushing men forward to try and make it count. Their goal came from a sustained attack after a break down their left, and then a pinball sequence were they hit the post, hit the bar, and had a shot cleared off the line before Tom Somerville slotted home from inside the area.

Tom Gibson drives through the RAF defence
Both teams went in search of a winner, and the Jets regained the initiative. Sean Giordmaina just failed to get his head to a bullet of a cross, but a few minutes later he had the chance that won the game. Another surging run down the left by Jets captain Tom Gibson, this time getting through the RAF defensive tackles, the ball breaking to Sean on the edge of the area who swivelled and shot into the corner of the net before Icarus could react.

Sean Giordmaina turns to hit the winner.

Sean’s winner headed for the bottom corner.
Icarus tried hard to level, but Jets kept them closed down until the final seconds when they had half a chance but shot wide.
2-1 win for Jets in a competitive and close game.
The decision on the Carlsberg Jets Man of the Match was made by the RAF, and they shared it between Leigh Stevens for his dominant midfield performance and Sean Giordmaina for his tireless work rate upfront, unsettling the Icarus defence, and getting the late winner.
Photo Gallery – click on any photo to see full size: –

Another top drawer save from the Icarus keeper

Tom Somerville (partially hidden) scores for Icarus to make it 1-1

Jets changing room pre-game

Wreath laying from the police and the Herts FA as the rain pours.

Flag bearers, RAF cadets, Oxhey Jets youth, players, management and coaches, and wreath layers prepare for the start of the ceremony.

Oxhey Jets youth and the match referee, John Feenstra, step forward to lay their wreaths.

Scott Bonner was solid in defence all day

Herts FA and Police wreaths

Herts FA and Police wreaths

Spartan South Midlands League and Referee wreaths

Leigh Stevens controlled the first half and shared the Jets Man of the Match award.

George Hobson put in a strong performance in midfield.

Flag and wreaths

Yet another good save by the Icarus keeper

RAF level

Squadron Leader Bowden lays the wreath for the RAF fallen.

A good save denies Sean Giordmaina in the first half.

Match officials and captains

Sean Giordmaina turns to hit the winner.

Pre-match warmup for RAF Icarus

Vass was strong in defence.

Ceremony over, the kids make a run for the stands!

George Turner fires a shot through the RAF defence

It’s there. The Icarus equaliser hits the net.

Sean leaps high but can’t connect with the cross, moments before his winner.

Loyal club man Craig Gorrie gets a call-up.

Jamie Speer

Wreaths for the RAF and Our Tom

Tom Gibson just about to lay on the assist for Sean’s winner.

Union colour bearer doesn’t flinch depite the deluge.

Heavy surface water, needed a sea plane

Wreath laying by Jets youth

Wreath laying by Jets youth

Team line-ups in front of the stands

Jets celebrate as Ollie Lawford’s shot gives them the lead

Tom Gibson attacks the RAF defence

Ben Newman hunts down the Jets

Fred Weaving, a former Royal Marine commando and a long time friend of Oxhey Jets takes the salute.

Jets changing room pre-game

The teams line-up ready for the ceremony

Wreaths from the match referee and Oxhey Jets youth

Jets captain Tom Gibson lays a wreath on behalf of Oxhey Jets

Happy young Jets make a run for cover after the ceremony ends

Fred Weaving takes the salute

Squadron Leader Bowden lays a wreath for the RAF

Wreaths from the Spartan South Midlands League

Wreaths from the Hertfordhsire FA and the Police

Flag Bearers march out to the teams and wreath layers

Flag bearers

Squadron Leader Bowden lays the wreath for the RAF fallen.

Tom Gibson lays the wreath for the Jets

Match referee and Jets youth wreath laying

Herts FA and police wreaths

RAF Icarus line-up

Scoot Bonner with mascot as the teams come out

Match officials and players wait to take the field

Tim O’Sullivan and Dave Fuller

Tom Lake remembrance

British Legion Wreath

Jets clubhouse prepared

Icarus kit

Icarus changing room pre-match

Icarus changing room pre-match

Wreaths for the Spartan South Midland Leagues and Referees

Icarus delighted with their equaliser

Tom Gibson drives through the RAF defence

Tom Gibson drives through the RAF defence

Tom Gibson

Craig Gorrie battled hard

Blowing steam

Nick Kerley surges forward

Nick Kerley surges forward

Young Ollie Lawford did well and got Jets first goal
More Match Action Photos: –
Watford Observer Preview our Armistice 100 Match
The Watford Observer have featured this Saturday’s match against the RAF Icarus team for the poppy appeal. They are also going to include this in this week’s newspaper.
Watford Observer – Jets vs Icarus FC Armistice Day Match