Jets Ease Past Sports
Oxhey Jets 3 Easington Sports 0
FA Vase 1st Preliminary Round
27th August 2022
Prior to the match, John Elliott and Dave Fuller were both recognised in a surprise presentation by the Football Association for the 50 years service they have given to Oxhey Jets and to football. Full report below.
Jets got a fantastic result in the FA vase after multiple changes forced Kevin Christou to reshuffle the team and tactics, and his reward was a first competitive win of the season with a clean sheet thrown in.
Jameel Morshid made an excellent debut
Clean sheet fro keeper Karl Beaumont on his debut
Sam Cahill made his first start, stepping into the right back role.
Two debuts and a first start from kick-off with a new keeper (Karl Beaumont) and left back Jameel Murshid and right back Sam Cahill getting his first start so a complete change defensively for Jets.
Ricardo Barrett-Harris jumps high on the angle to score with a superb header.
The Sports keeper can only watch as Ricardo’s header goes in.
In the heat of the Boundary Stadium, it was a very tight and even match but a class goal was to open the scoring. Young right-back Sam Cahill hit a pinpoint cross for an amazing looping header by Ricardo Barrett-Harris that the keeper could only watch, glued to the spot 1-0 (35 minutes).
Ricardo turns provider as Conrad Holland fires home from well outside the area.
The keeper despairs as Conrad’s shot gets past him.
It’s 2-0 to Jets
Take a bow Conrad
Jets were buoyant and went up a gear, sprung on by the goal and smelling blood while on top, and it was rewarded immediately as goal scorer Ricardo laid square a perfect lay-off for Conrad Holland to shoot low and powerfully past the keeper (38 minutes).
Conrad was in the thick of the battle all day.
Jets were very competitive with every one of the young guns doing their job. Conrad Holland was everywhere, giving and taking a knock for knock.
Good defensive performance from Chippy, building a strong partnership with Sam Denham at the back.
It was quite a battle, but, for the first time this season, the defence looked very confident with Sam Denham and “Chippy” ruling the middle ground and aerial threat.
Vass is a workaholic for Jets.
Talking of middle ground, rapidly becoming one of the most important names on the sheet is Vass Manderville, his energy talk and commitment are critical Jets and being the heart the body beats from.
Jets knew that Sports would come out hard and fast at them at the start of the second half to get back in the match and that they did. Jets had to defend hard and sharp, and, to a man, they dug in and battled every ball. Even as the game got “touchy” both sides took and gave no prisoners, and Jets very young side did not melt. Yellow cards were flashed both ways, it was nose to nose, and the official did lay his ground out and stuck to it to hold the two very competitive sides back a little.
Great save from the Sports keeper denies Ashley Johnson.
The visitor’s keeper Riley Pledge pulled off a superb save to deny Ashley Johnson, the powerful hulk broke clear and was denied at the feet.
Conrad cuts it back for David Pinto.
Pinto finishes well, into the corner. 3-0
Pinto’s finish leaves the keeper stranded.
David Pinto, Conrad Holland, Ashley Johnson and Ricardo Adewuyi all celebrate the clincher.
Jets used all three subs allowed ( FA Vase different rules), and one returning player was crowd favourite and love child Ricardo Adewuyi who hid no joy at his involvement in the killer goal. Ricardo used his speed to break free on the left and latched onto a through ball before crossing into the area were Conrad Holland teed up David Pinto to fire Jets to the line 3-0 (86 mins).
It was a strong performance by Jets and, as mentioned, a season-first win they now need to build on.
Excellent game from Vass
The Carlsberg man of the match for Jets was not easy. Vass was always in the mix, and Ricardo Barratt scored one and assisted one, but two names quickly emerged, Sam & Sam ( Jets version of Dumber and Dumber). Skipper Sam for his aerial dominance and last gasp blocks to deny the visitors, even while trying to blast as many match balls aimlessly into the blackberry fields. The young composed Sam Cahill grabbed his first start with total enthusiasm and gave everything he had for the whole game duration. So with decision deadlock, Kevin’s request that they share was agreed and a bottle of the sponsors best given to both.
Chippy the Chippendale
The Carlsberg was very quickly downed to the post-match treat of Chippy’s audition for the Chippendales following his pre-match announcement if we win I do a strip tease to music, and the lads called the deal in !!
Proving speak in haste, pay the price ??
The weather was good, the result excellent, and the atmosphere today superb.
One thing I must mention is the serious event being suffered at Hertford Town not far from us in Herts with a young player suffering cardiac arrest. The fantastic actions of bench staff saved the day, coupled with the fast response of an air ambulance, and the most important bit of equipment a defibrillator !!
Jets vs Easington Sports Photo Gallery: –
Jets vs Easington Sports Match Video: –
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The FA Recognise John Elliott and Dave Fuller For Their Service To Football
VIP guests from various organisations gathered to surprise two of Jets founder members before kick-off with a 50 year long service to football award from the Football Association.
As the teams came out for this important FA Vase fixture to the booming sound of the Dambusters, VIPs from the Football Association, the Hertfordshire FA, the Three Rivers council , the Watford Rural Parish Council and personal friend and FA man Fred Weaving were on pitch waiting to greet and award the gold long service medal and certificates to Dave Fuller and John R Elliott BEM, both for 50 years unbroken service to the game.
It was a great surprise and both were proud and honoured to receive the award on such a big match day from senior Football Association representatives and people who have supported the club’s activities over many years.
The presentations were made by Graham Phillips, the Chairman of the Hertfordshire Football Association.
(From left to right): Fred Weaving, Graham Phillips (Chairman of the Herts FA), Paul Mallett (Director & FA Council Representative for Hertfordshire FA), John Elliott, Nick Robinson (Chairman of the Football Association National Game Competitions Committee), Sue Mallett, Sara Bedford (Three Rivers District Council), Dave Fuller, Gareth Williams (Clerk of the Watford Rural Parish Council).
(From left to right): Fred Weaving, Graham Phillips (Chairman of the Hertfordshire FA), Paul Mallett (Director & FA Council Representative for Hertfordshire FA), Alan Wilson (Council Member, Hertfordshire FA), Dave Fuller, Sara Bedford (Three Rivers District Council), John Elliott, Nick Robinson (Chairman of the Football Association National Game Competitions Committee), Sue Mallett, Gareth Williams (Clerk of the Watford Rural Parish Council).
Nick Robinson, the Football Association Chairman for the National Game with Sara Bedford from the Three Rivers District Council.
John Elliott with Fred Weaving, a long time close friend of John and the Jets.
The Award letter and medals (given to both John Elliott and Dave Fuller).