A Bridge Too Far
FA Vase 1st Round Proper
25th October 2016
It was a bridge too far in the replayed FA vase match in Northampton and unfortunately the game could well blight the Jets season in the coming weeks as there are player consequences.
Obviously keeper Rob Partington is long term, but then Jets lost Bar Hariely in the pre match warm up to hami problems, and Luke Lloyd pulled his groin early on so three long term losses there from this, it seems, cursed FA vase game.
In fairness to the Jets the players who were able to make the long midweek tie, and we fully understand those who couldn’t as work is their living, they for 65minutes did really well.
Tony Kerby in action in Jets goal
The FA showed their full compassion and wouldn’t allow a keeper to be signed and we had to pull veteran Tony Kerby into the fray and the man did well, and really was not to blame for any of the goals. Jets centre half pair Jack Robertson and Jude Bell well rocks and is paramount to Jets defensive display and the first 45 in particular was both even and left much hope at the break as Jets were rarely troubled.
Solid joint Jets MOM performance from skipper Jude Bell
Jack Robertson, joint Jets MOM, held things together
In the second period the hosts upped the ante but still Jets looked comfy and it was looking like a 0-0 which would have been stunning for Jets under such conditions.
Tom Inch so nearly gave Jets the lead
Then the chance, the breakthrough and collapse. Tom inch and Ian Hurst combined and Inch was in on the keeper, although from a difficult wide angle but with Oliver Cole screaming for the ball dead centre of the goal, just out of reach to Inch the keeper gathered and instantly went long up pitch and Jets were a goal down.
1-0 to Rangers
Twelve minutes later it was 3-0 and the game dead. Jets used all the bench and it was damage limitation as the heads and legs died and the four became five with the last touch in stoppage time when sub Gary Warn pointlessly flattened the forward to earn a yellow card and penalty to wrap up the trip to Norfolk for the home side.
The score slightly flatters but its been a mare of a week for Jets and they really were left running on empty and hope the consequences of the cursed fixture do not ruin the season for them.
Man of the match was shared by the centre half pair of Jude Bell and Jack Robertson.
Spider Man returns – Sim had been out with a badly infected leg from a spiders bite
Some good news was the return of Sim Armstrong who has a badly infected leg following a spider bite and a bit of time for Jets top scorer Adam Lowton who has been out several weeks with an injury.
Only the money boys can win the vase so no harm done, we are out so repair, rebuild and move on…. to yet another away game ( maps will need to be provided to the next home game I’m sure !!) at high flying, in-form Wembley.
The always competitive Leigh Stevens
Tom Inch supports his defence as Jets dig in
The wall does its job
Another blow as Luke Lloyd is lost to injury
Adam Lowton got a run out late in the game as he returns from injury
The save that denied Jets the lead midway through the 2nd half
Jets saved by the flag
Vase debut for Mark Lambert who did well
Stoppage time penalty makes it 5-0
Nathan Pooley did well for Jets