STALEMATE BEFORE BIG MATCH

It was important to finally play a game after two weeks of postponements with next weeks FA Vase fixture coming up. Conditions were difficult with a strong wind and with the ground saturated following rain over the past week and before today's kick off.
Athletic were without several players due to other commitments and suspensions.

This was an important game for both sides with Athletic sitting fifth from bottom and Jets one place below them. Athletic had the better of the early exchanges, with a shot blocked within 2 minutes of the start and then Tommy Twelves hitting the bar following some deft footwork by Doc. Jack Read then fired a volley just wide following a corner. In the 17th minute Athletic lost the ball in midfield, the loose ball was played to former Athletic player Chris Blunden who shot from distance, but home keeper Jack Hopwood managed to clear the danger. The game became very scrappy in the difficult conditions, with neither side managing to dominate possession. Although both sides tried hard the first half ended in stalemate.

Half Time: TAFC 0 0 Oxhey Jets

The second half began with Athletic in the ascendancy, firstly winning a corner and then Jack Sunderland setting up fellow striker Jack Read who shot just wide of the goal. Shortly after Jack Read again nearly opened the scoring but visiting keeper Rob Partington managed to save with his legs. In the 62nd minute the referee looked to have awarded Athletic a penalty following a mazy run by Luke Dunstan, but to everyones amazement gave a free kick to Jets for diving. Jets then had a good opportunity but substitute Samuel Afolabis shot was way off target. Both sides introduced substitutes in the tiring conditions. There was nothing between the two sides now, although Jack Read was unlucky with another shot that went just wide. Athletic had another shout for a penalty, this time for a push on Jack Sunderland as he was bearing down on goal. Jets then had a free kick just outside of Athletics area, however the resultant shot didnt ask anything of keeper Jack Hopwood. Having played 3 minutes of stoppage time Jets Lewis Davis found himself through on goal but he shot tamely wide with only Jack Hopwood to beat.

Full time: TAFC 0 0 Oxhey Jets

A disappointing result for Athletic but probably a fair result in the end as neither side were able to dominate possession. Athletic now look forward to playing Melksham FC in the last 16 of the FA Vase next Saturday.

TAFC: Jack Hopwood, Ben Johnson (Max Hercules 73), Chris Mason(Chris Vardy 78), Luke Dunstan, Steve Nott-MCaire, Dave OConnor, Tommy Twelves, Sam Joliffe, Jack Read, George Carbery, Jack Sunderland.

Oxhey Jets: Rob Partington,Vase Mandeville,Lewis Smith,Thomas Gibson,Jude Bell,Isaac Ebelebe,Adesi Ikesmori,Jahobl Maher(Lewis Davis 65),Nick Kerley(Samuel Afolabi 60),Chris Blunden(Elijah Seymour 73),Patru Maris-Cosmin

Crowd: 72

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