Oxhey Jets 1 Leighton Town 4
Spartan South Midlands Premier
17th October 2020
Jets dropped three big points to one of the title big tips Leighton Town in front of a big crowd at the Boundary stadium. That’s a hard week for Jets facing the top two favourites for the title / promotion and despite a good showing just one point to show for it thanks to Darryl Brown’s late equaliser away at Colney Heath on Tuesday.
Jets did, I think, break one record, the quickest conceded SSML goal crossing the line just 12, yes 12 seconds after kick-off 0-1.
Superb penalty save from Rob Partington but Leighton scored from the follow up.
The game was competitive and even, but a gift in midfield left Leighton on the break, and a double error gave the referee no option but go to the penalty spot. Rob Partington made a superb save but with Jets players on the box line static the rebound was smashed home unchallenged 0-2 (25 mins).
This chance from Reece was one of several near misses.
Jets pushed for some seeds of a comeback with plenty of possession, but little imagination with the front two again starved of the telling ball except some from Louis Bircham, put in from the bench when Brennan failed to make kick-off.
Brave again from Rob.
An unsavoury moment on the half-hour mark as a dreadful “leg breaker” on Tom Gibson led to a mass protest of pantomime calls oh yes he did oh no he didn’t from the two sides, but the officials got it right with a straight red.
With Leighton down to ten men it was a chance for Jets to get back into the game. Jets had a lot of near-misses, but little on target and not many opportunities carved out despite the man advantage.
Lewis Putman goes close.
At the start of the second half, Jets were better, but in fairness, Leighton were demonstrating a defensive master class defending tight and springing the attack when Jets slipped. In the end, this was how Leighton got their third, they pounced on a Jets mistake, and the clean break converted as Jets again had no answer to the speed of the break 0-3 (73 mins).
Lewis Putman pulls one back for Jets.
An excellent solo goal for Lewis Putman gave Jets hope (74 mins) and chances followed.
Nick Kerley hits the post.
Nick Kerley hit the post with the keeper beaten, but the team then self-destructed as newly on substitute Chris Blunden kicked out and again a spot on straight red by the official. Jets man advantage was gone, and the match effectively petered out and the stoppage time fourth (91 min) put a false reflection on what was still a deserved away win for Leighton Town.
There were two nominations for the Jets man of the match, Danny May and Louis Bircham. Manager Stuart Atkins split the vote in favour of Louis Bircham.
The size of the result was not reflective of the encounter, but the facts are there. In review, Jets look a team of individual performances but not a blended side at the moment.