Jets Second Half Surge to Victory
Hats off to Jets for a determined second half performance that swung a game from defeat to victory in a match that definitely did an eighty percent swing in possession.
Lee Stedman lost six of his squad from previous games for a variety of reasons so it was a first team first start for Oliver Cole and a debut for the season for two youngsters on the bench for Ellis Brown and Luis Mateus.
Jets really struggled against the basement side, who in fairness to them played some really good football. Jets struggled to put any passes together never mind a set of them and really only Rob Partington in goal stood between Jets and an unassailable situation. Jets fell behind after just 14 minutes but felt fortunate that it was to be the only damage done before the break.
The changing room walls blistered as Stedman bellowed out the biggest blast I’ve heard this season so far, and made three changes putting on Ellis Brown, the experienced Luke Lloyd and young Luis Mateus for his first time debut.

Luke Lloyd was one of 3 half-time substitutions along with Ellis Brown and Luis Mateus that helped turn the game.
The second half was totally the opposite, it was all Jets wave after wave and in honesty two of the subs, Brown and Lloyd were major reasons why, as both had superb forty five minutes to steer Jets back from the brink to three points.
It was Lloyd who provided the telling pass for Luke Wells (63 mins) to sprint, compose and slot the equaliser which was rewards for his unselfish first half running.
It was now one way traffic and no surprise when the skilful lob over the keeper from a tight angle had the defenders sprinting in vain to stop Luke Wells getting his goal bound effort away. 2-1 (71 mins).
Jets were comfy but they failed to finish off the Tigers, then in a moment of madness a slack ball looked to have cost the win as, with the final whistle looming, Carlos Lopes curled a neat goal home 2-2 (89 mins).
Jets bench was fuming and the players were gutted, but this is different Jets this season, more committed players and more effort than egos, and from kick off they charged forward and a stunned defender could not cope with Netzer and Wells and the loose ball was hammered home by Jack Robertson for the points (90 mins).
Jets went wild, not because of the points against the bottom club, but because of the never lie down battle they produced to take them.
The match was outstandingly refereed by the ‘third team’ in a display of manners, communication and efficiency that was an example to officials to follow, mind you one ‘Lino’ er I’m mean Assistant Referee !! was Mark Mellor who climbed from the Hertfordshire grass roots games, to the Football League and deservedly so I must say.
Jets man of the match was a tight decision between goalkeeper Rob Partington who kept Jets in the game when it mattered most, and one save he made 1-on-1 at 0-1 was outstanding, and Luke Wells. Luke worked tirelessly and unselfishly when some around him did not return the compliment, and he was rewarded with two excellent goals. The manager went for Luke Wells, but had I been throwing another name in the hat I could have nominated Stedman himself, three changes at the break swung the game on its head tactically and were instrumental in the win as it shook Jets up mentally and tactically and caught the visitors cold in the second half.