Outstanding Jets Show Their Potential
Oxhey Jets 1 Penn & Tylers Green 1
Cherry Red Combined Counties Division One
1st April 2025
Jets were no April fools as they showed the better side of their form with an excellent draw against promotion play-offs Penn & Tyler Green FC.
You could sense the importance to P&T as their team and support had as many Flackwell Heath tracksuits ( step 4 play-off hopefuls) as their own, maybe remembering how Jets played in the fantastic win at their pad earlier this season.
The visitors were off like F1 drivers from the off, playing precise football at an incredible pace, but Jets’ young team did its best to live with them and contain but were very much the chasing side.
An incredibly skilful goal gave P&T the early lead a twist and shoot shot from Mathews Ayres (11 min 0-1)
The worst was now feared falling behind so early. Still, Jets dug in bravely and went nose to nose with the visitors, just at times let down by the final ball, ending some promising areas of play, but very much defending excellently and springing promising attacks.
Owen Ayres denied.
The staff tinkered at the break, and the second-half performance was incredibly belittling of the previous month’s form. Jets, not P&T, were romping forward and totally turned the tide, and the flow went towards the away defence who were now the team digging in.
Sensational solo goal by David Barbakadze
With time running out, could Jets get the deserved rewards. When it came, it was some incredible solo goal, as sub David Barbakadze went on a mazy run which had everyone on their feet and calmly slotted past the advancing keeper (1-1 84 min)
George Rice pushed to the floor in the box but nothing given.
Now it was Jets pouring forward, and it looked like they were to get their just rewards as George Rice was blatantly pushed as he was about to shoot on a clear goal following a scramble. The referee, though, was unmoved and incredibly, the assistant said yes, he saw it but wasn’t allowed to indicate free kicks; challenged that he had indeed done that in the first half, he replied, that was a free kick; I can’t indicate penalties !!!! Then why the hell are we paying neutral assistants if they can’t assist the referee in critical match-deciding decisions?
Was it in? Some save on the line denies a stoppage-time winner.
At full-time Jets were almost disappointed at the point, and there was nothing but praise for the Jets team for an outstanding performance and four points taken this season from such an excellent team.
The Jets man of the match took ages to decide an indication of the performance, and the decision went to TJ in midfield.
Saturday Jets play second-place Westfield as they get to have a say in the play-off places even if an awful March cost them personal participation, but tonight was a reminder of how much ability this young side has on its day.
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