Jets Run Ends Against A Strong Harpenden
Oxhey Jets 1 Harpenden 4
12th March 2024
St Mary’s Cup Semi-Final
Jets fell to defeat in the St Mary’s Cup semi-final at high-flying Step 5 Harpenden Town in a match where much promise was shown, but the hosts, in the end, were just too good for the inexperienced young Jets team.
Harpenden’s impressive brand-new stadium and artificial grass pitch was a perfect place to show ability and personal skill. Jets in many patches did that but could not match the intensity and desire that the high-flying step 5 side produced, so it was Harpenden who went onto the deserved place in the cup final.
James Barnett 1-0 Jets
Jets started brightly and created well, and kept level with some excellent stops by Lewis Lavin, and it was Jets James Barnett who calmly slotted Jets into the lead.
Jets produced some positive play and were well and truly in the tie, but you have to take your chances, especially when up against stronger sides.
1-1
Harpenden take the lead 2-1
Two goals in a minute swung the game as so often does happen to Jets, but the big disappointment must be that in both goals GK Lewis Lavin made excellent saves, but the rebounds picked up and scored from while Jets central defence failed to respond in their territory.
A chance to level for James Barnett but this goes wide
Big penalty appeal for Jets as Barnett is brought down.
Jets again started the second half well and looked to have a big chance when Barnett was brought down in the box, but unbelievably, no penalty was given, and right on cue, Harpenden increased the lead and effectively killed the match.
Jets never gave up and tried hard to make a comeback.
Deep into stoppage time, Harpenden added the fourth, but the game was long over, and only a man stand by the keeper and man of the match, Lewis Lavin, stopped an absolute landslide.
Big thanks to Harpenden for all the help in the monsoon season doing an on-the-day switch from Lake Oxhey to their magnificent new stadium.
