Reserves Denied In Tight Aubrey Cup Final
Jets Reserves finally dipped their colours in the Aubrey Cup final at the hands of Premier Division Promoted New Salamis. Jets, though, can have nothing but pride following the tense, tight battle taking the Premier side all the way to the whistle.
The available contrast was massive, Jets a young side fresh out of under 18s football, padded by some experienced older heads to guide them, the opponents with an ex Norwich player and able to fund a holiday return air ticket for one of the players to make the game.
Jets hassled and battled and unsettled the Premier side with the slope first half and looked good for the lead they gained when Andre Lopes hammered home from a tight angle to give jets the advantage.
They probably needed more with the slope and could and should have extended their lead when presented with a 3:2 situation in the area, but no one took responsibility and shot, and the passing broke down, and a golden chance lost to put real pressure on. Jets were getting caught mainly by experience as some struggled to adjust their personal game to the less time on the ball being given to them leading to snatched loose passes.
The second half against the slope Salamis upped their game, and the physical side of it and Jets struggled with off the ball incidents three times leaving Jets players flat out, and massive unrest off the field to the officials demanding more protection for the seemingly tactic change.
Salamis were now on top and Jets defending, but it was tight and effective, and Jets looked to be holding even against the harder tactics.
An excellent goal, though, levelled the match as Salamis drew the defender and side passed to the oncoming scorer who drifted between two defenders unnoticed to slot 1-1.
The winner as it turned out was from the spot, and it was inexperience and drawn as the substitute ran the ball to the goal line, he drew the foul that was not needed, just shepherd it out, and the referee had no hesitation going straight to the spot and 1-2.
Jets wobbled and another penalty was given, this time a con, as at last the Lino who had missed all the off-ball incidents decided the player was tripped, but justice was done as it was blasted well wide.
Now came Jets best period as in the last ten they really pushed for the equaliser and there were scrambles, a big chance headed wide and many free kicks, unfortunately, that was a problem as Jets failed to drop them away from the very experienced keeper who was mostly presented with catching practice.
Jets almost deserved to take it into extra time just as in honest reflection Salamis probably just deserved to nudge over the line to win the very prestigious Aubrey cup.
Jets had the man of the match player in young John Gyabaah which was a further credit to the side.
Jets can only be proud of their performance in this final and the competition just as a Reserve side even reaching the final and beating the Premier Champions on the way, but today they were edged out, just !! So learn from it then get heads up and be proud of what they have produced this season.
Tony Larkin, Managing Director of Reserve Team Sponsors Platinum Scaffolding was delighted with the club’s season and commented: “Congratulations again on the Reserves achievement this season, I’m very proud that they carried our logo”.
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