Jets Raise Their Game
Oxhey Jets 3 Wisbech Town 1
FA Vase 1st Round Proper
22nd October 2022
Jets turned on a display yesterday fitting for the FA Vase, and I enjoyed waking up to mass messages about the best game they’ve seen this season rather than the barrage of advice on how to run the club I’ve done for 50 years !!
Wisbech were going to be a difficult tie having come from step 4 last season, so a Jets side without any league wins this season needed to offer something extra.
Strong debut from Taran Rattrey
Jets are in a rebuild and three debuts were played this week and all three offered to strengthen the squad.
First goal was disputed over this aerial challenge
The first half was very keenly contested a really tight battle but Jets got the lead with some controversy Spencer Bellotti, known as the salmon in his younger years at Jets, climbed and challenged the keeper who spilt. Young 16yr old winger Jack Thompson shot at goal, and jets were now screaming for handball as he was denied goal bound, but the appeals were settled at least Jets ways when Spencer Bellotti shot home 25 mins.
Wisbech level.
The joy was short-lived as the visitors hit back just 3 minutes later when Kieran Hamilton rounded debutant keeper Lewin Lavin to slot from the angle (28 min).
Lewis Lavin, confident in goal.
It was a superb battle and Sean Giordmaina broke clear but was dubiously stopped by a flag, proved later to be very wrong and the visitor’s keeper made an excellent save from Thompson.
It was no walk at the other end either as the visitors had more possession, but the back line, with two debutants in, held firm, marshalled by the experienced Uncle Tom.
Jets thought they had the lead but the slightest of touches brilliantly saved the situation and Jets just got the corner and you could see the despair in our players who just wonder when we will get a break.
Reid Sims was superb before coming off with an injury.
Jets were looking good today and young Reid Sims was bossing the midfield, spraying passes to Giordmaina and Thompson. Half-time 1-1
Jack Thompson, along with Sean Giordmaina were creating problems on the wings.
Bellotti strikes low.
Jets upped their game second half. The staff superbly calmed and motivated the young side, but it was the old head who gave them the lead when a blocked shot was crossed back in and again Spencer Bellotti was up and heading Jets in front (68 min)
Beautiful bended shot from Elijah Sawyers 3-1.
A substitution masterclass now as the injured Bellotti was withdrawn for Elijah Sawyers, the ball played cuttingly through for him was met on the run and his first touch of the ball was bending into the net 3-1 (29 mins)
Jets were full of young belief now and attacked the game out while soaking up the visitor’s attempts to get back in it, and earned all the plaudits. Special thanks to one of our regular sponsors, Wilson Smith, who superbly sorted out their bar bill, even the fruit shoots for the puppies. ?.
A well-deserved win, against a very evenly matched team, to go in the Wembley stadium hat on Monday for the Second Round proper for the first time in three years.
Ron Sosoli – great debut
The salmon is back
Man of the match was reflective of the performance with multi nominations, whittled down to three, Ron Sosoli, Reid Sims and Spencer Bellotti,
The final edge vote goes to Spencer Bellotti, whose two goals helped make it a happy night at the Jets.
So good to see Jets like this again.
I say again, it was so nice reading the positive texts the day after.
Consistent game from the officials and not over reactive.
On a day of mixed emotions, the First Round Vase win was the only win today with the Development drawing 1-1 With Stanmore Jeffrey but finishing with 10 on the pitch.
Worse still was the Vets whose game was abandoned at Chorleywood as a serious leg injury to a Jets player Reece Turner needed ambulance attention and the referee had no option but to abandon while waiting for the emergency services. We thank the official and Chorleywood FC players for their understanding throughout this incident and wish Reece a speedy Recovery.
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