Oxhey Jets display praised after Berks County defeat

Jets had been beaten 9-1 and 4-0 in their two previous cup and league encounters against the third-placed side in Combined Counties League Division One and the coaching staff opted to change formation in a bid to make their side a tougher proposition.

The players responded superbly, leading Tom Inch to post on social media: “A professional performance against an excellent side, I feel we deserved more”, while fellow joint manager Dave Barnes remarked “absolutely gutted for the lads, after a proper performance”.

The visitors started strongly as they set about their task, battling and defending to a man as Berks streamed forward with their wingers opening up the play on the zippy artificial surface at Ascot FC’s Racecourse Ground.

The Berks keeper claims the ball as Jets push for an equaliser (Image: John Elliott)

The whole backline was immense. Ben Delicata, taking the captain’s armband, had one of his best games in a Jets shirt while alongside Toju James, making his first start, and Luke Nugent also stood out. And when the defence was breached, keeper Lewis Lavin was also on top form to ensure the game remained goalless at the break.

Having kept things tight in the first half, Jets played with more attacking intent after the break. Dylan Hickman-Singh was a constant threat while Owen Ayres spurned a great chanced to give his side the lead when he fired wide.

The second period was more end-to-end but the decisive moment came when James Barnett hesitated and went for goal with teammates screaming for a pull back. The ball was intercepted and Berks countered at pace down the wing before being laid back and hammered home for what proved to be the winner in the 63rd minute.

Jets used their bench to replace tired legs and pressed for the equaliser, but they were unable to find it despite their best efforts and finished unrewarded following an excellent effort.