The attitude and fitness of Oxhey Jets has been condemned as “nowhere near acceptable” after they were beaten 2-1 at Holmer Green on Saturday.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Liam Osborne headed them in front after just four minutes of the Combined Counties League Division One clash, but instead of seeking to build on this, the goal seemed to have the opposite effect as Jets increasingly retreated into their shell and constantly gave the ball away.

The South Oxhey side inevitably paid the price as Alex Colverd capitalised on “horrendous and naïve marking” to equalise six minutes after the restart, before making the most of more woeful defending to score the winner seven minutes from the end of normal time.

“Frankly, this is nowhere near acceptable, half-hearted, walking and players who have started the season unfit and sulking,” the club’s website said. “On paper, it looks like the side is decent and the strongest for a while, but on the pitch it’s simply not working yet, and the staff have the job of getting the team moving in the right direction.”

Liam Osborne, far right, heads Jets into an early leadLiam Osborne, far right, heads Jets into an early lead (Image: Oxhey Jets FC)

Having taken the lead from a set-piece move, Jets failed to register an opportunity worthy of note until the final 20 minutes when Owen Ayres forced the keeper into save.

Although Jack McDonnell impressed on his debut, Jets went deeper and deeper as Holmer upped the pace in the second half, equalising when Colverd was allowed to come in unmarked to smash home.

The substitutions did offer some hope as Patrick Brander's electric pace took the game to the home side on occasions, but Jets' big problem continued to be their awful passing.

Jack McDonnell impressed on his debutJack McDonnell impressed on his debut (Image: Oxhey Jets FC)

Holmer got the almost anticipated winner when Colverd was again left completely unmarked to tap home at back post, but Jets did almost snatch an equaliser deep into injury time when Dom Mosca forced the Green keeper into a superb save.

Following last week’s 5-0 drubbing at Brook House, this was another awful showing by Jets and much better will be required when they face Hillingdon Borough at home tomorrow night.