Hinton Hit For Six
Oxhey Jets Reserves 6 Hinton 0
Herts Senior County League
23rd April 2019
Jets Reserves were on top form against Hinton who were looking for a top-four finish, but Jets were in no mood to give an inch as the players paid claim to their cup semi-final shirts this weekend in the massive Aubrey cup semi-final again Premier Division unbeaten champions Letchworth.
Jets had the early possession, but the Hinton defence was organised and solid against them, and the goalkeeper was in “plane safe” mode.
Jets did have the ball in the net from a set piece when a Mike Vickers challenged the keeper high in the air, but the goal was ruled out by the match official.
Jets took the lead in spectacular style with a blistering long-range shot from Andre Lopes who despite a dramatic attempt by the keeper was beaten all ends up.
Jets pushed on now looking for the kill, and it came with a cool slot right on the post by Mike Vickers 2-0.
The games significant talking point on 35 minutes as Jets keeper Fillip went out to meet an oncoming attack and the player went left towards the corner flag and was caught by the keeper. The referee went straight to the spot despite the foul being a full two yards outside the area and issued a yellow card.
Appeals galore and the official spoke to the linesman and changed it to a free-kick and Red card despite the fact the attacker was going away from goal and defenders were arriving to cover. Madness but not surprising.
Mitchel Swain pulled on the orange jersey and kept it clean right up until the interval, half time Jets Reserves 2 Hinton 0
Jets reorganised and came out for the second half and what a blistering forty-five minutes they were to have. Andre Lopes was on fire and destroyed Hinton with accuracy and power on the ball.
Lopes himself opened the second half scoring with another blistering long shot that caught everyone out including three cameramen 3-0 and two for him.
Minutes later he pinpointed Mike Vickers with incredible speed the pinpoint cross, and Vickers needed no second chance for his second of the night 4-0.
It was turning into Lopes demolition night as a thunderous ball into the box was smashed home by Rawn Seale 5-0.
Rawn then had the miss of the season from another pinpoint Lopes ball to blast nigh out the ground from three yards with the keeper beaten. The nippy winger, though, had the last laugh as he burst down the wing and slotted no5 in a solo goal to notch his second and the 6-0 for ten-man Jets. A beautiful clean sheet for the stand-in keeper Mitchel Swain who was faultless.
Man of the match was the easiest decision of the season, Andre Lopes scored two, assists 2, and a class above in a blistering display by the whole team.
Saturday will be a big test for Jets reserves as Letchworth have won the Premier title unbeaten, so a benchmark for promoted Jets for next season in the Premier Division and with the FA ground grading committee denying Letchworth there much deserves place in a higher league probably because they have a seat missing or something pathetic like that, they will be one of Jets opponents in the new season.
A special mention for Hinton’s Mick Clarke, who is stepping down as boss at season end, we go back many many years to when Jets first team progressed through the Herts County league ranks, he is a credit to his club and grassroots football, and the sort of person football clubs need. We wish Mick well in whatever role he chooses and in his retirement, but somehow I think we see him back doing something, I hope so. !!