Jets Push Berks County To The Limit
Berks County 1 Oxhey Jets 0
13th January 2024
Combined Counties Division One
“A professional performance against an excellent side, I feel we deserved more” was the comment posted by Tom Inch, and “absolutely gutted for the lads, after a proper performance” was Dave Barnes’s reaction, such was the respect for the team’s fantastic performance against Berks County at Ascot FC Racecourse Ground.
For me, the quality of our managers and coach comes to the front here as a special training session changing formation and all tactics were done on Thursday to try to stem the two previous results this season against Berks County. 9-1 at their place in the cup and 0-4 at home. A brave gamble to reshuffle the line-up and hope the lads can take on board all the new requirements.
First, there was a moment to pay our respects to Daniel Dunton who sadly decided to leave this life on Thursday, a reminder that life can turn so suddenly.
Berks County are a class side and have a complete package and it’s hard to see how they can be trailing runaway leaders Amersham by so many points, so our task today was a mountain.
Jets took to the new role superbly, battling and defending to the man as Berks County streamed forward led by excellent wingers opening up the play on the zippy Astro.
Jets had to work hard, and people playing different roles like Andre Lopes had to put in an incredible shift springing Jets from defence to attack, ensuring the front line was not isolated.
The whole back line was incredible. Ben Delicata, taking the skipper’s role and having one of his best games in a Jets shirt, put in an excellent performance. Toju James with his first start alongside Nugs was solid, both of them. Jets were under more pressure relying on breaks and when they were breached GK Lewis Lavin was on top form.
0-0 at the break and a tremendous effort.
Now the shock for the hosts would be the more attacking intents of the second half. Dylan Hickman-Singh was a constant threat tearing at their full backs and the glorious chance fell to Owen Ayres to grab the lead but his shot was wide.
It was more end-to-end in the second half with the hosts expecting to break the deadlock and the visitors trying to spoil the party. Then came a big turning point that settled the match. James Barnett hesitated and went for goal when players were screaming for the layback, the intercept was made and distributed at speed down the wing. Jets full back committed and was passed and the layback was exquisitely met and hammered home for what was to be the winner (63 mins).
Jets used their bench to replace tired legs and everybody played their part as now Jets went on the ascendancy and pressed County, I’m sure Jets were pushing them unexpectedly and to their defensive limits. It’s a compliment to us that their whole bench was pleading with the referee for the full-time whistle as Jets had them pinned in the final minutes for what would have been a hugely deserved reward of a point for Jets’ endeavour.
In fairness, the spirit of the game was excellent, and the officials were equally as good. Berks glad for the final whistle, Jets gutted.
Jets Man of the Match was almost impossible to pick, so many top performers. Andre, Ben, Lewis and Dylan were all spoken about but the final nod went to Craig, his calmness scares the life out of us at times but absolute class performer.
Final comment from me. Class performance and superb effort by all the management and coach to almost pull this one off, they deserve as much credit as the players today.
Match Photo Gallery: –
.