FC Broxbourne Borough 1 Jets 3

Vital Three Points For Jets

Jets got three big points in their survival fight with a 1-3 away win at bottom club Broxbourne, but before people say so you should, it was a much-improved Home side that has been unbeaten in its last three including a fine 1-3 win at Hoddesdon Town midweek.

Broxbourne are using more of the youngsters who have been such a credit to the club reaching the FA youth cup quarter final, before finally lowering their colours at Villa Park to Aston Villa. Massive congratulations to the club and every player from us at Jets on that remarkable achievement.

The pre-match handshakes by two clubs in trouble were respectfully observed in a minutes silence to remember and honour a former Broxbourne player and the victims of this week’s London terror events.

On a very difficult bobbly dry pitch in bright sunshine and a gusty wind battle commenced, again like last year when a Chris Blunden goal helped Jets win on the last day of the season to stay up, it was critical points at stake today.

Territorially Jets started with the upper hand and it wasn’t really much surprise when they took the lead on 14 minutes when a Leigh Stevens free kick somehow got to the back post and Liam James was unmarked to head home 0-1.

Jets looked solid but almost too comfortable and got a bit too much swagger on the difficult surface and then Broxbourne got more and more in the game and, assisted by some dreadful refereeing, got the break to draw level.

Jets had committed a foul and the official played the advantage, which was played to another player who squandered and blasted the ball straight at a Jets player… and the referee went back and gave the first free-kick, talk about first, second and third zone of play as these boys like to quote !! Anyway from the free kick taken more than a little forward of the offence, in a different half to be exact the ball floated towards the box, was contested by Leigh Stevens on the edge of the box, and as they fell backwards to everyone’s amazement the official went to the spot, with that old giveaway of not a single home team appeal !!

Powerfully executed and 1-1 regardless of the pathetic caution (why is every penalty a caution?) and pointless appeals by the visitors.

The game was quite even and to be honest very scrappy in the conditions with both sides not wanting to risk a mistake so it was bang and gone for much of the time.

Half time 1-1

Jets upped their game in the second half and gradually edged on top. Adam Lowton, who had left his phone on the sidelines with his first babies due Monday, walked around three defenders before being blocked out on the line and former Jets keeper Liam Nugent twice denied Chris Blunden who returned to Jets midweek.

Jets took the lead with probably the best bit of football of the match, good interplay by Jets was started and completed by Brad Thompson whose pinpoint cross was blasted home by Adam Lowton 1-2 (60 mins).

Jets went for the killer but it never came, then nerves started to set in and they dropped deeper and deeper. Returning John Smith was needed to help skipper Scott Pugsley marshal his troops to keep the points.

The home side came at Jets and Jets countered. Both came close and both keepers saved their side, then it looked over as Chris Blunden hammered home but strangely (being polite here) it was ruled out for offside to the traveller’s horror, but the Broxbourne joy was short-lived as two minutes later (89 mins) Chris Blunden rounded Nugent and ran the ball in the net 1-3 and critical points for Jets.

Broxbourne are not down yet but must battle to avoid the no reprieve bottom slot, so, for both sides, the battle goes on.

Man of the match and the sponsor’s bottle and gift went to Bar Hariely who was outstanding at centre-half today, none more so than at 1-2 when Jets had to be real strong and defend their lead.