Windsor & Eton 2 Oxhey Jets 1

Strong Jets Denied By Late Winner

Windsor and Eton 2 Oxhey Jets 1 Cherry Red Combined Counties Division One 4th January 2025 Massive reaction was needed, and it was given by Jets at title Favourites Windsor & Eton following last week’s dreadful display at Hillingdon. On the only grass pitch in the Combined Counties league to survive the freeze, Jets went off to the Lion’s den with everyone expecting them to be slated again, but the crowd of 269 were stunned by a fantastic defensive display in the first half by Jets.

In fact, Jets were only denied the lead by a coat of paint when Joe Reade clattered the underside of the crossbar, only for the the ball to bounce on the goal line and come back out. Jets had given everything and matched their excellent opponents blow for blow, which led to a rather flattering, if not self-indulgent, comment by one supporter of W&E to our staff on the way off, saying, “You should be very proud of your team!” !! Those same staff had made very difficult choices pre-match, making many changes to the squad and team. It was a welcome return from long injury layoffs for Danny Fowler and Archie Sykes, and Elliott Harris returned from suspension all straight into the start lineup. An eye-watering battle was between well-travelled and experienced Marcus Mealing and James Kimber. Kimber was superb, pegging back the top striker and Jets a credible 0-0 at the break. Jets needed to continue their first-half effort to repeat the superb win over W&E they achieved early in the season at the Boundary.

Now, with the slope and the very influential crowd behind them, the hosts upped their levels even more but frustration showed when they were reduced to ten men for a sin bin. They still, however, were able to take the lead when, at 55 minutes, a sharp one-two opened up a chance; the Jets keeper started to come and stopped and substitute Ethan Darcy rounded him to score 1-0. Jets went a little into their shell but dug deep; Kimber and his side kick Craig Stephen Lett were faultless, and although for a while we went out of the game, our desire and effort never faded.

Then the staff shook things up and made multiple changes, and Jets went more direct. With just three minutes to play Patrick Brander, Jets’ youngest player, went on a direct attack from an angle, sidestepped the keeper and slotted 1-1 (87 mins)

Now it was a different Jets, and how the game was not won will haunt them. Three massive chances were presented to the Jets in rapid succession. We had gone from no chances in the second half to streaming forward and looking like the more likely side, then a big chance as our leading scorer Dominic Mosca broke clear slotted the keeper but agonisingly just past the post. As the referee indicated four minutes of stoppage, it was a frenzied finish, but with seven minutes of the four gone (Yes, that’s not an error!!!) Jets lost possession going forward, the hosts countered and were awarded a soft free kick. From the free-kick Pawel Kowalkowski headed the winner. To rub salt in Jets wounds, the referee apologised in the bar afterwards for the very soft free kick that lost the game, clearly influenced by the excellent but very biased massive home crowd. A defeat, but some strong performances by the lads and nothing but praise for the whole squad.

The Carlsberg man of the match was clearly destined for the defence, and I repeat, James Kimber was absolutely superb. having to deal with one of the most experienced forwards in the division, alongside his partner Craig, was also faultless, so with no one willing to split the pair the award was shared. Something special was needed after Hillingdon, and the dreaded follow-up game against the title favourites was the last thing Jets needed. Still, today, the lads were genuinely magnificent, and only rotten luck and a bit of coolness at the critical moment cost them a brilliant point against a top-of-the-table team who also, with their support, really do have an extra man.