Oxhey Jets 1 Colliers Wood United 0

Jets secured three points in a close, competitive game against Colliers Wood United at the Boundary thanks to a skilful finish by Joe Reade.

Woods, sitting comfortably in tenth place at kick-off, were to be a strong test for Jets, who had to reshuffle due to a sickness bug hitting two players, the centre pin Jamie Doolan and Dominic Mosca.

Joe Reade skilfully slots for an early winner.

Jets went on the front foot from kick-off with Luke Nugent and George Rice opening opportunities and it was the same two to carve the opening goal as “Nugs” cut back and laid in George Rice whose shot was parried and at the back post Joe Reade calmly waited, skillyfully side footed the defender and slotted for what was to be the winner 1-0 (10 mins).

The game was end-to-end and scrappy on a heavy pitch, and it was very competitive. Jets had a let-off when a silly, cheap free-kick was given away on the edge of the area and a well-worked set piece was headed on for the attacker to nod home at the back post, but the celebrations were cut short by the assistant’s flag to the relief of Jets and the close-up Altham Way Ultras on their Drums.

Jets tightened up defensively after that, and the game really was a scrappy midfield battle where Jets were giving the ball away too often and too easily, but in fairness, they were battling back immediately and winning the ball back.

Owen Ayres was denied by a goal-line clearance.

Jets were on top in the second half, and good defending stopped Jets from securing the points earlier, but they played out for a good win to go into the Christmas break with.

The man of the match was tight with a few nominations, but the final decision went with the skipper, Luke ( Nugs) Nugent.