Jets Battle Back To Earn A Point
Oxhey Jets 2 Westside 2
16th December 2023
Combined Counties Division One
Jets had to battle back from 0-2 down on a heavy difficult pitch to get a well-deserved draw against a useful Westside FC.
Some of the decisions were beyond belief if not a Santa fantasy story as in the spirit of Christmas the referee decided it was Christmas cards for as many as possible !!
The first card dished out was just five minutes to the visitors and there set the theme for the day !!

Westside take the lead from the penalty spot.
Jets fell behind from the penalty spot, and the small but vocal crowd made the disbelief well heard as the forward ran into the GK and got a spot-kick out of it. 0-1 (14min)
Jets were not really doing well at this stage, almost disjointed and unorganised compared to their excellent midweek display, so it was no real surprise when an excellent goal by Westside put us 0-2 down (24 mins).

Strong performance from Jets Elf, Olly Pope
This shocked the young Jets side, but no fold-up here, quite the opposite. The response was good, and it was an excellent end-to-end game despite the difficult playing conditions and the whistle-stop, whistle-stop whistle that broke up the momentum for both sides.

Battling performance and a big assist from ‘Danny Long Ball’.

James Barnett (far left) pulls one back for Jets.
Jets were quick to pull one back. A superb Danny “long ball” Fowler cross was met with a looping header from James Barnett that beat the keeper, the appeals went long and the referee seemed not to be reacting, but the assistant’s flag said goal and Andre Lopes made 100% sure, hammering into the net to erase any doubt, and our pics and the Lino confirmed that it was James Barnett’s goal 1-2 (26 min).

Lewis Lavin had to be top drawer to keep Westside at bay as both sides went on the attack.
The game was a cracker, and in the second half Jets got on top. The leveller looked likely, but on the break Westside were rapid and Jets had to be on their defensive toes, and more than once GK Lewis Lavin came to the rescue.

A blistering game from Dylan, brought down here for Jets penalty.

Archie James makes no mistake from the spot. 2-2
The visitor’s main tormentor was Dylan Hickman Singh. He was ripping into them, and it was no surprise he was the supplier of the penalty to level the game when another menacing run ended with a trip. The cool Archie James convincingly slotted from the spot 2-2 (82 mins)

Westsides’s keeper was also making some stunning saves.

Jets pressurised the Westside goal looking for the winner.
The last minutes were a barrage of shots and near misses, and the visitor’s GK was making stunning saves to deny Jets as the highly entertaining draw was played out. There was time for a dismissal from the bench as the ref decided he didn’t know who said something so, as per new FA instructions, he sent the coach off even though the assistant told him he’d got it wrong. Ho ho – back on his sleigh ????, more cards to deliver !!

Ben Delicata came on and put in a really strong second half performance.
The Jets Man of the Match was very split with multiple nominations. Dylan was the tormentor and Danny LB was in contention, but the decision went to young Olly Pope who, after a few quieter games, burst back with a controlled game in midfield.

Taylor in full sprint on the heavy ground.
A really good game against a good side on a very heavy ground, just a pity so many cards and stoppages making it more of a panto than was needed.
Jets Match Video:
Highlights
Extended