Fair Point For Both Sides
Oxhey Jets 1 Bedfont 1
18th November 2023
Combined Counties Division One
The difference a month can make. Jets went to Bedfont at the end of September and were soundly thrashed 5-1. It was a game that made the staff look closely at the squad, and now in this game, they will be disappointed not to have the three points from the home encounter.
Bedfont are an excellent side and well-situated in the play-off zone, so it was another big test for the young squad.
The Combo Counties on off on off on again game was threatened with off again when the overnight storm hit and claimed so many grass pitch matches, but Jets groundsman Graham O’Brien, with his trusted garden fork, worked tirelessly to get the match on. It was heavy underfoot, but with fixture congestion looming even before a match has been postponed, it is a match played that both sides will be glad of.
It was a real battle, but as dangerous as Bedfont were, Jets had the upper hand, playing some excellent football, more so considering the heavy conditions.

Archie James denied by goal line clearances

James Barnett header so close

Dylan cross goal effort misses by a coat of paint
The first half, in particular, was Jets, and the most unlucky player was Archie James, denied with what looked like goal-bound shots four times, and the excellent new signing James Barnett thought it was lead time with a well-placed header, and when the flag denied Jets hitting the net, the question became could we keep it going in the second half. Half time all square 0-0.

Archie James (out of picture) sends a looping header to score for Jets

Archie the goalscorer!
It was much the same in the second, then a bit of luck for Jets and Archie as his looping distance header from an Owen Ayres cross hit a defender’s shoulder and looped high and dropped into the net 1-0 Jets 50 min.
This seemed to wake up the visitors, who slowly but massively swung the balance of the match, and now Jets were defending hard.
The staff refreshed the players, courtesy of a good bench, and Jets did well. One bit of luck was the crossbar pinged, but that was also an excellent save by Lewis Lavin.

Very busy rearguard after Jets scored.
It would be unfair to praise individual backline players because they all played their part as the grip tightened, and the counter was the excellent front runners springing counters at speed that Bedfont were blocking with any body part possible.

Brave save from Lewis
Jets survived a loud penalty appeal in the first half and Bedfont one in the second with a last gasp on Dylan Hickman-Singh, who was giving the Bedfont full-back nightmares.
On 75mins Jets resistance broke with another speed attack down the right converted by Nathaniel Mensah.

Bedfont chance missed as their striker falls over and the ball rolls to a smiling Lewis

Jets chance missed as Andre Lopes knees the ball over
The last fifteen were frantic both ways and, as always, both sides had the chance to take the points. Bedfont went clear one-on-one with the keeper, but the wriggle of the hips trying to throw off the big figure of Lewis Lavin had the player falling flat on his face with no one near him and a smiling Lewis just picking the ball up. Then, with four to go a back post ball to Andre Lopes had the Jets bench in the air ready to shout the goal, but it bounced off the knee and over.
Now every attack was come on, and every defensive moment was begging for the whistle for both sides.
On the whistle, a point was deserved by both but both would be disappointed with the draw. It was that sort of match, but fair play to the visitors who highly praised the Jets progress since the last match.

Another good game from James Barnett
Jets man of the match was, by a country mile, Dylan Hickman-Singh who was outstanding.
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