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Sat 14th Nov 2009
League
Sponsored by Mick Eldridge
TAFC First team 3-2 Oxhey Jets
TAFC goals: Mark Burfoot (3) |
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Mark Burfoot came to the rescue when he scored in the 92nd minute, not only to claim his third hat-trick of the season but more importantly to secure a valuable last gasp victory over a gallant Oxhey Jets team. Burf has been in scintillating scoring form this season, bagging 22 goals in 22 appearances and that has brought him to the attention of other clubs. Already he has turned down a move to Dunstable Town and now Aylesbury F C are after his signature, but hopefully he will stay loyal to us.
The wet and extremely windy conditions made it hard to play good football and this was not one of our best performances, but it was satisfying that we were able to grind out a victory when shorn of some key players. Oxhey left feeling the gods and specifically the match officials were against them as they played the whole of the second half with 10 men and will justly feel they deserved at least a point or possibly three as the skilful Tim O’Mara missed a good opportunity four minutes before we got the winner.
Oxhey’s main complaint and the key turning point in the game came just before half time when the score was 1-1 and they were still very much in the game. Tony Fields header from a corner was blocked on the goal line by Lee Inch and the visitors felt there was no handball, but the referee who was well placed disagreed and awarded a penalty. Because Inch had therefore prevented a goal the referee had no alternative but to red card him, it seemed harsh but that’s the rules. Some spectators felt it did not hit the players hand but others nearby, including a League Official, were adamant that the referee was right. The outcome was we went in at the break 2-1 ahead and Oxhey were down to 10 players.
After enjoying some warm weather golfing Phil Casserley’s first task after getting use to the terrible weather was to reshuffle his team. Inspirational skipper Graham Hall was injured as was midfielder Matt Myatt and central defender Henry Thomas was suspended. Ashley Addison and Andy Mullins who missed the midweek defeat at Ware came into the side, with Mulls showing his versatility by slotting in at right back allowing Dave Salmon to move to the centre of defence. But Mulls wasn’t fully fit himself and was replaced early in the second half by young George Living. We started well and after only 18 seconds Mark Burfoot, who was unmarked and in bags of space, was just unable to collect Rob Duncan’s perceptive pass. Just over a minute later Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone and Ashley Addison were unable to take advantage of a loose ball after Oxhey keeper Sam Beasant, son of former England keeper Dave, failed to gather the ball that bobbled dangerously around his area. Soon after Chris Salmon, retaining the captain’s armband in the absence of Graham Hall, met a long throw from David Whicker but he got too much on the ball and it went well wide.
But after that good start it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 20th minute when our defence got in a tangle and this allowed Jamie Arthur to break through on goal. Mike Underwood made a great save to keep out Arthur’s effort but the ball fell to Tim O’Mara who stroked it home to put his side 1-0 ahead. We tried to respond but couldn’t get our rhythm going and it was Oxhey who played the more controlled football despite facing the strong wind. However, we are not a side to give up and in the 38th minute Vinnie Iannone’s header sent Mark Burfoot through and he calmly slotted home the equaliser. A minute later we could have scored again as the Oxhey defence got in a mess but Andy Mullins shot was saved by the keeper.
The game appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw at the interval when the controversial handball, red card and penalty incident occurred. Beasant saved Mark Burfoot spot kick but could do nothing to prevent the follow up shot finding the net. At the break we were leading 2-1 with the game appearing to have swung in our favour.
HT: Tring Athletic 2 Oxhey Jets 1
If we thought the second half was going to be a cake walk we were mistaken. Oxhey made light of their deficiency in numbers and enjoyed nearly as much possession as us and in the 62nd minute they levelled the scores. There was a lack of communication in our defence when a cross was swung over and in stretching for the ball Mike Underwood could only palm it onto the head of Lee Grace who gleefully headed it into the empty net. It was a rare error from Mike who has been exceptional for us.
A flurry of substitutions and yellow cards followed, although it was not a dirty game, and the play became scrappy and was not helped by the regular raising of offside flags at both ends. We tried to raise our game but Oxhey looked comfortable enough and neither keeper was called upon to produce any heroics. Mark Burfoot did shoot across goal and David Whicker did force Beasant into a flying save with a long range shot whilst Mike Underwood had to save a shot from Jamie Arthur. With two minutes to go Tim O’Mara cleverly worked himself some space but fortunately for us he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Two minutes into added time and with a 2-2 draw looking the likely outcome we were awarded a throw in. David Whicker hurled the ball into the area for Mark Burfoot to head goalwards. The keeper seemed to have it covered but it squirmed under his body to gift us a fortunate winner. Two minutes later Oxhey were reduced to 9 players when Steve Brown received a second yellow card and then a red but by then it was all over bar the shouting.
FT: Tring Athletic 3 Oxhey Jets 2
Not a great performance but we will be grateful for the points against a good side that has traditionally done well in Tring, having previously only lost twice in ten visits. Mark Burfoot was the hero of the hour and he has a great record of scoring 62 goals in 103 appearances. The win took us into second place in the Premier Division and narrowed the gap on leaders Colney Heath who are now just 3 points ahead although they do have a game in hand. But we cannot be complacent because hot on our heels below are Aylesbury, Royston Town and Dunstable Town who could overtake us if they win their games in hand. We therefore need to keep the pressure up by continuing our good run which has seen us win 8 of our last 10 League games.
Teams:
TA: Mike Underwood, Andy Mullins (George Living 52), Rob Duncan, Dave Salmon, Steve Smith, Chris Salmon (Capt), Tony Fields, David Whicker, Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone (Darren Franklin 72), Ashley Addison (Danny Gray 78). Sub not used: Dave Adamson.
OJ: Sam Beasant, Ian Bywater (Wayne Gladdy 60), Lee Grace, Steve Brown, Chris Ingham (Capt), Lee Inch, Colin Jenkins (Ben Chandler 72), Nathan Roberts, Tim O’Mara, Jamie Arthur (Karl Bull 88), Andrew Lomas. Subs not used: Chris Harding, Joe Marsh.
Goals:
TA: Mark Burfoot (38, 45+1, 90+2)
OJ: Tim O’Mara (20), Lee Grace (62)
Crowd: 61
OJ Website: http://www.oxheyjets.com
REPORT FROM OXHEY JETS WEBSITE -THEY ALSO HAVE SOME GREAT PHOTO'S OF THE PENALTY INCIDENT
Red Card Nightmare for Jets
Tring Athletic 3 Jets 2
Spartan South Midlands Premier
14th November 2009
The first team lost an awful game at Tring in a match General Manager John Elliott described as "the worst refereeing display I have seen at this level".
Jets knew the trip to Tring would be challenging, as Tring are going well this year near the top of the table, but it was Jets who took the lead after 19 minutes when a TIM O'MARA strike edged them in front.
Tring levelled things up when Steve Brown was caught and Burfoot scored the first of his hat-trick on 39mins, and the game looked like being even at half-time.
The game, however, was ruined for Jets on the stroke of half time when, first of all, a long shot down the hill in the gale went just past Sam Beasant’s crossbar and, inexplicably, a corner was given. Then, from the corner, Lee Inch made a super goal-line clearance but, to the amazement of all, the referee judged a hand ball, even though it was clearly chested down, and held a straight red in the air. Typical to Jets luck, Sam Beasant’s long dive saved the spot kick but the rebound was scored. half time 1-2.
Ten men Jets pushed forward with the help of the slope and the wind and got their rewards when LEE GRACE made it 2-2 with a back post header.
A further referee influenced turn, again went against Jets when Colin Jenkins was taken out from behind and the official who Jets general manager John Elliott described as "talking in the worst manner to players he has ever heard in this level of football" gave Steve Brown a yellow, that was the forerunner to another sending off when Brown made a fairly silly foul minutes later.
Deep into stoppage time, with Jets nine-men holding out for the draw, Jets conceded the winning goal when the injured Beasant let a soft header in for the winner.
Jets really will feel hard done by on the day, and 2-2 was properly about right, and deserved, as it was a hard work day for ten men Jets. The game, however, will only be remembered by Jets for one reason, or person, and the pity is that not only were the players weekends ruined, but the consequences will still effect them in 21 days when the bans kick in on the players sent off.
Jets were very, very unhappy. |
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A day for managerial arms to be folded
Straight sixes for artistic merit
Ashley receves attention from all sides
Mark restores parity: 1-1
Handball or not handball?
Last gasp scramble: 3-2
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