Jets Exit Vase In Narrow Defeat
Whittlesey Athletic 1 Oxhey Jets 0
FA Vase 2nd Round
12th November 2022
Jets finally dipped their colours in the FA Vase away at a very good Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire. Jets were forced to make changes missing Deago Dunbar-Bonnie and Sean Giordmaina which dented the forward power badly. The start was positive and young Jack Thompson was the energy behind them but the home side was physically much stronger and used that from the start, the positive thing was the young jet’s side stood up to them and did not shy away that was really impressive.
Jack Thompson made a lively start but was taken off early after taking a powerful volley into his face.
Unfortunately, after just 6 minutes a big blow to Jets when a big volley caught Jack smack on the side of the head from no more than a yard ( absolutely no intent). Although Jack was fine with no concussion or confusion the swelling to the face completely closed his eye on that side leading to instant removal from the game after a long treatment. Hospital checks later were fine, and the only damage was to his good looks ( if he had any).
Early scrambles but no reward for Jets
Jets had a good spell mid-half and three big misses and scrambles as both defences dominated
In the second half, the home side started stronger and their game was really dominated by their superb goalkeeper on loan from step two National League Peterborough sports and their powerful no9 from United counties Deeping Rangers, it gave them massive strength in the spine and would take something special to beat the keeper.
The winner came after a bit of pressure and Jets will rue the attempts to clear properly but succumbed to the return ball headed home.
In fairness to the Jets defence, they had held well against the far superior-sized opponents, Spencer Bellotti and Tom inch again excellent and were very unlucky to be on the losing side.
Jets did push for the equaliser in the final stages but, in honest reflection, were lightweight and offered little strength against the very organised defence marshalled superbly by the experienced keeper who knew every trick in the book to run that clock down, and fair play to him.
Jets again lost Vass to two yellow cards and had to battle out with ten men, with a massive controversial decision as three Jets lads hunted down the time-wasting keeper, but it was Vass judged to have caught him when it clearly was not.
Reid Sims taken down as he steamed towards the Whittlesey penalty area
Reid almost converted the free-kick but the dominant Whittlesey keeper makes a good save.
Jets looked very dangerous on one run when another youngster Reid Sims was in full flight on goal and was ”stopped” on the edge of the area. He forced a good save from the resulting free-kick but soon after was also withdrawn injured.
Reid was withdrawn due to injury shortly after.
More scrambles but no goals
There were more scrambles, one off the line, but it was not to be. It was a game with many positives but little to offer in attack, and that was, today, Jets downfall.
The Jets man of the match could only be out of Spencer or Tom, so with disappointment high and talk on the subject low, they can share the award.
I would like to say Whittlesey was a very welcoming club and, to a man, worked hard for the victory. The match looked all the way like it would be decided by an only goal and that turned out to be correct.
Match Photo Gallery :-
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