Eversleigh & Californa 2 Oxhey Jets 0
Cherry Red Combined Counties Division One
16th November 2024
Jets fell to their first defeat in eleven games in leafy Hampshire against Eversley and California. The young side’s run has been great, but I’m sure they were disappointed by the lacklustre first half that sealed the team’s fate.
David Lopes dipping header goes agonisingly close.
Jets actually started brightly. David Lopes’s header went agonisingly close, and George Rice had three good chances but failed to get the shot away. One he swung in looked goalbound but agonisingly eluded the post, with Dominic Mosca coming in at the back post.
George rice’s attempt eluded both the post and the incoming Dom Mosca.
Jets had a bit of luck when E&S converted a header, but it was quickly ruled out by an assistant’s flag.
Eversleigh and California take the lead.
Jets won’t be overly happy with the goal that opened the game or sealed it. Each time E&S got in behind defenders, the first failure to clear was converted from the edge of the box with numbers, but the second in stoppage time was poorly defended and gave Jets a mountain to climb.
Before the second, we were more scrappy defensively than we had been of late, and E&S were very direct and lively in their attacking.
George Rice is denied by the keeper.On the follow-up, George’s shot is cleared off the line.
However, Jets looked to have levelled when Rice went through. His delayed attempt was bundled away by the keeper and cleared off the line, Dom Mosca was on hand, but somehow, the ball stayed out of the net.
In the second half, Jets responded and were better, but despite the domination of possession and area, we were not much of a threat today as the hosts battened down and held fast. Although there were plenty of scrambles and head tennis, there were not really many ooh arrrs coming from the home bench. In fairness, nobody gave up, but today, it didn’t happen, and the home side deserved the win.
Jets have had a habit of missing early chances and then scoring freely, but today, that early period was to prove decisive.
The man of the match did not have many contenders today, really. Lewis Lavin made two absolute blinding saves, one point blank and one-handed, that, if recorded, would be contenders for any level of save of the season. However, the standout pitch player was James Kimber, the brick in the wobbly rear guard performance, who also pushed forward to provide aerial threats in the second half attempted clawback.
Defeat, but one would come eventually, but the run has been excellent; now put it behind us and get back on the game for a tough trip in the County Cup to St Margaretsbury on Tuesday.
Match Video:
