Oxhey Jets bounced back from their defeat at the weekend to win 3-1 at St Margaretsbury and reach the quarter-finals of the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy.
The tie was given the go-ahead after the rain and snow and both teams did their best to warm those watching, looking to attack from the outset but somehow the game remained goalless with half-an-hour gone.
Jets had been wasteful but they made an opportunity count after 32 minutes when the referee played an excellent advantage after George Rice was taken down in full flight, allowing Dominic Mosca to latch onto the ball and drive forward before firing past the keeper.
The visitors hoped to push on but chances continued to come and go at both ends until the hosts levelled shortly before the break.
Jets gained a bit more control after half-time but they had to overcome a big hurdle when keeper Lewis Lavin was sent to the sin bin for comments to the official and defender Jordan Gutteridge stepped up to take the gloves.
The away side responded well to this setback and were able to keep St Margaretsbury at bay until the sin bin ran out.
Rice and Mosca were continuing to keep the pressure on the home side’s defence and with 17 minutes remaining they created an opportunity that forced a fine save out of the keeper, but the ball fell to Tom Reid who netted with a sweet placement just inside the post from wide of the goal.
The Jets management made full use of their matchday squad, with 17-year-old Brian McGovern catching the eye after coming off the bench.
The victory, and a home quarter-final against St Albans City Reserves, was wrapped up with two minutes remaining when fellow substitute Toju James struck with a superb looping effort that he was celebrating before the ball hit the net.
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