Honours Even in the Watford Derby
Jets are playing … Score draw it is then !!
Jets continued their run of score draws in this Christmas fixture against Sun Sports, one where there was a reluctance by either side to give away any presents to each other.
Both sides were a who’s who of players that have moved both ways with more than a whole team adding up in people who had played for the other club.
Nathan Pooley put in a good performance against his former club
It was a tight, competitive but very fair fixture with little of the war of the roses attitude of years ago, probably to the relief of the treasurers and postman delivery of the FA disciplinary mail.
It was blow for blow, end to end and both sides had their chances and missed them and both were being denied by outstanding goalkeeping saves. The bias could say we did this or that but the true reflection was that the thoroughly entertaining and competitive game ended 0-0 at half time.
Scott Pugsley fires home to give Jets the lead
Scott’s shot hits the back of the net to the despair of the Sun defender
Jets celebrate
The action early in the second period was to notch the game up a gear. Jets took the lead just five minutes in when a frantic scramble of chances was finally finished off by Scott Pugsley. Leigh Stevens had a cracker that hit and came out off the crossbar, before a volley of players shot and were denied by legs, bodies and pure determination until Scott Pugsley hit a low power drive that hit the net and broke the resistance.
A flying save denies Jets
The goal opened up the game and as time ran on Sun got more agitated and upped the ante and were pushing the game frantic for the breakthrough, so Jets were able to spring dangerously and had more than one opportunity to finish the job off, but often this season the failure to ‘nail’ the chances and be clinical in front of goal is the problem.
Unfortunate Adam Lowton suffers a bad foot injury
Jets had lost Adam Lowton off the pitch and next day the unlucky Jets top striker was confirmed to have a triple broken foot to add to his and Jets misery in this injury dogged broken bones season they are experiencing.
Former Jet Chris Blunden scores the equaliser
The chances were not taken and Sun got closer and closer, then with just six minutes to go a pinpoint ball from full back to top notcher Chris Blunden, whose goals helped save Jets last season as the relegation fight was won, went clear, and seemingly going a little wide a superbly placed ball went in at the back post 1-1.
Jack Robertson almost scores a winner for Jets
The final throws of the game swung Suns way and of the two it was Jets more glad to hear the whistle. If you are honest the draw was about right although everyone had their moments tonight.
Jets man of the match was chosen by coach Kev Lawrence and a special visitor and Jets supporter from Australia. The pair agreed to disagree and shared the festive beer between centre half Liam James and the returning ski instructor Leigh Stevens (who refused to disclose any details of his trip!).
So nobody left for Christmas as losers in this local derby and although a few bolted the post match niceties it was good to see so many of the players and staff engaging in the Christmas truce with the bar acting as no mans land on this occasion.
Oxhey Jets FC wish all our staff, players, supporters and media followers a very, very happy Christmas and a successful new year. We wish our local rivals at Sun, managed by former Jets staff Tim O’Sullivan, Pat Fallon and Gary Burton all the very best for their upcoming last 32 FA Vase match in January, a great achievement.
Luke Wells grafted hard up front for Jets
Mr. Versatile Scott Pugsley had a solid game back in the outfield