Oxhey Jets 5 Bovingdon 2

Andre Lopes Hat-Trick See Jets Through

Oxhey Jets 5 Bovingdon 2 St Marys Cup Quarter-Final 26th November 2024

The Jets completed their third cup tie on the bounce, rotated, and came out with three wins, this time against a gutsy Bovindon, who did themselves proud by taking the game to Jets from kickoff. Bovingdon and Jets have battled many times over the years, sharing some great battles from the old Herts County days. Now, it’s SSML v Combines Counties for the two local sides as the FA seemingly reorganises for the good, but somehow, local sides end up driving miles in the opposite direction! Bovi shook Jets, opening the scoring after just eight minutes when the defender was harassed off the ball, and the nippy no10 scored a good strike 0-1 (8 mins)

**A quick reply from Andre Lopes levels it at 1-1**

The celebrations had hardly stopped when Andre Lopes, from just outside the area, struck from range past the keeper 1-1 (10 min)

The game was on balance, heading for a shock result, and Bovingdon fully deserved to take the lead 1-2 (27 mins)

**Andre Lopes scores from right out on the touchline – defenders can only watch as the ball fires into the goal.**

Jets were making wrong decisions on a wet pitch left by storm Bert, and the quality of passing and horrendous long balls were losing Jets possession far too easily, but fortune favoured Jets again. It was skipper Andre Lopes relishing this armband, stealing the show with an absolute corker from right out on the touchline that dipped and bulged the net 2-2 (27 mins)

**Dom Mosca almost gives Jets a half-time lead.**

Jets almost grabbed the lead with top scorer Dominic Mosca heading inches over, but it was definitely Jets more pleased to hear the halftime whistle level 2-2

**Zak Mishcon puts Jets into the lead for the first time 3-2**

A double followed by a triple substitution and formation change saw none of the same as jets now dominated the second half, and it was not really a surprise when possession told, and it was a goal for Zak Mishcon, coming off the bench to get his first Jets goal 3-2 (69 min)

**George Rice pressurises the defender and it’s 4-2 Jets**.

It was now Jets, and with injuries hampering their attack, Bovingdon looked tired. Also coming off the bench, George Rice was credited with the fourth goal, but it was later changed to an OG as George admitted hassling the defender to add the last touch. But either way, it was daylight and 4-2 (73 mins)

**Andre Lopes fires home his third goal.**

Andre Lopes wrapped up the scoring to complete his Hat trick 5-2 (89 min) and to be named as man of the match.

It wasn’t the best, but to quote the changing room, “We got there in the end”. The games are coming fast and furious as everyone tries to avoid the late pileups of the previous two seasons. Still, jets staff have rotated the mini-cup period ideally and come out the other side intact with a quarter-final and two semi-finals to play. Back to the bread and butter league action on Saturday, where Jets hope to get another good run going to improve the league position that the poor season start has left them in.