Sun Sports v Oxhey Jets    12th January 2016   SSML Premier

Match report & photos courtesy of Oxhey Jets FC website

Missing players are the people who should shoulder much of the blame for this defeat, not the players who turn up and give their all. Jets were lacking forward power as four of Wyatt's young front hunters for various reasons either notified or not failed to appear for the fixture, and let's face it, this is probably the closest away game of the season !!
Sudden illnesses and injuries aside the people who did turn up gave their all in a close encounter for most of the game and Jets will without doubt feel that an out and out striker could well have made more of a game of this local derby.
One important but understandable missing player was birthday boy Ben Alexander who returned that day from an incredible 25km hike in the Arctic circle raising money for "Changing Faces UK", sleeping in wooden huts with only a candle for light and heat !! Fantastic achievement by Ben and he was still there supporting which should cause embarrassing moments for some! His rather large skipper's armband needed sock tape to reduce it in size for tonight's skipper Warren Gladdy's puny arms!
The pitch at the start was soft but all but perfect after all the rain, but they will have some repairs to do by the end but it was more than playable so fair play to Suns groundsman, great job done.
The early game was end to end and Jets didn't really look a side in as much danger in the table as they are, but with Wayne Gladdy and Luke Lloyd being made to start after such long layoffs the legs were going to suffer and the early touches difficult, but it was nice to see people who care back in the squad. Both sides had half chances then a talking point as Davis Boeteng was a little reckless in a lunge and the referee went without hesitation to the spot but Boateng made aments when he saved Penny's spot kick at the post, but questions really need to be asked about the defending just prior to the penalty that led to the problem.
The penalty incident strangely left Jets a little jittery and minutes later Dom David got the lucky break when somehow a strange bounce and part block weirdly bounced up and through the keepers arms and into the net, it was a horribly unlucky, strange mistake or what but all ways it was 1-0 to the home side.
Jamie Speers, pushed forward into a temporary more advanced role, had a chance as did Wayne Gladdy but Jets seemed reluctant to pull the trigger tonight and hesitation lost the moments while Sun broke at speed and looked dangerous.
Jets playmaker was Warren Gladdy in midfield who, while battling back to fitness, was outstanding and gliding through the heaviest area on the pitch, while at the back Andy Amoah was also having another superb game. Half time 1-0.
Bob Wyatt took off Gary Edwards, clearly struggling badly with a back injury, and introduced the returning from a long injury layoff Tyler Connor .He also switched things around, pushing Andy Amoah up front, and that alone injected pace and danger to Jets attacking and for twenty minutes it really looked as if Jets would get some rewards for their nights work. Partly denied by dreadful refereeing when Amoah was wiped out and how oh how no penalty can be given is just beyond belief, at times these blokes just leave us amazed !!
It was highly competitive. Wayne Gladdy was two inches short of the final touch so many times he was murdering those puny legs giving his all, and Lowton as normal was grafting all night, the effort was definitely there, but some fitness and a little extra player support was needed for those who do.
The killer goal was the price you pay for all out attack as the break out long ball out was played perfectly by Penny running the square line then turning for goal as a great through ball dissected the back line and Penny calmly slotted past the keeper to kill the game.
The game went dead as both sides knew it was game up but the referee somehow conjured up a flurry of late cautions in a match that hadn't warranted any.
Sun are a good attacking side and look solid and at home now in the Premier division, whilst Jets do have a problem to face, staying there this season, and the facts are clear that they need the excuses and hiding to stop and for everyone to pull together to get us out of this mess.