Town Into Next Round Of The Premier Division Cup

Despite the rain that had been fell all day long and continued to fall during the tie, the pitch was in good condition and Town were ready to show their worth.
Town lined up as follows: Patel, Bryant, McClelland, Murphy, Donkor, Osborne, Webb, Newbury-Barr, Murrell, Towell, Campbell.
Town started brightly, but didn’t create too many chances in the early exchanges.
The Jets had the better of them, with Leigh Stevens curling a free-kick just wide. Stevens, formerly of Town up until last week.
But, on the 19th minute, Town took the lead!
Danny Webb used his pace down the right flank to beat his man and set back to Murrell, who finished smartly to give the Town a 1 goal advantage!
From then on in the first half, the action never stopped.
Webb continued to terrorise the Jets left back and he fed Campbell across the box, but his effort was blocked well by the keeper.
Jets then went up the other end on a breakaway, which saw their No.10 drag a shot wide of the far post.
The Jets’ captain, playing in left back, was booked for a foul on Danny Webb on the 25th minute.
Towell and Webb both went close after Campbell’s good work down the left flank.
Then came the red cards.
4 minutes after fouling Webb the first time, Oxhey’s captain pulled him down after he got away from him and was charging into the box. That saw him dismissed.
6 minutes later, the red card was out again.
After Alfie Osborne’s tackle, tempers flared and some unsavoury scenes played out.
This saw Jets’ No.10 shown a straight red card for the afters. Oxhey down to just 9 men vs Town’s 11.
Our Half of our Management Team was also dismissed. Joe Sweeney was shown a red card, but to be honest, I’m not quite sure for what!
Oh and Alfie Osborne was shown a yellow card.
Right, enough cards (for the first half anyway).
Town made a change on the 41st minute, Tom Silford replacing Alfie Osborne.
At Half-Time, there was another change, with Brian Foulger coming on in place of Sonny Newbury-Barr.
The second half saw Town continue to play good passing football, but that was particularly down to the fact the Jets had to dig in and stand resolute.
Town almost broke that rearguard 12 minutes into the second half. A fantastic switched ball to Webb, saw him bring it down with ease and attempt an audacious lob, but it bounced the wrong side of the post. What a goal that would have been!
Captain Dave Murphy was then replaced by Archie McClelland.
Aaron Murrell went close with a header after Webb’s delivery.
Jets had another booking to their name after a poor tackle on Towell.
Ashton Campbell then got in behind the defence and forced a great save from the goalkeeper to tip the shot over the bar.
Just after the 70th minute, Town were awarded a penalty!
A blatant handball in the box after Donkor’s effort, saw the referee get his cards out again.
The Jets were reduced to 8 men! Not permanently, just for 10 minutes, after their No.7 was shown the way to the SinBin.
Ashton Campbell stepped up to take the penalty, but saw it saved! But not to worry, as Archie McClelland was on sight to tuck the rebound away! 2-0!
Leigh Stevens then entered the book for Oxhey, another poor tackle.
Danny Webb continued to torment Oxhey and he had a low drive palmed away by the keeper.
Then came the 3rd goal! Webb showed his class once again down the right flank to fire a ball across the face of goal which gave McClelland the simplest of finishes, with Town players queuing up to tuck it away!
Ashton Campbell was desperate to get in on the act and he was somehow denied a beauty. His curling effort after cutting inside was tipped on to the crossbar by the goalkeeper! A brilliant save!
Les Barker then fired over from close range.
Oxhey’s No.7 was finally reintroduced to proceedings and Oxhey were back to 9 men.
The 4th and final goal came with just 4 minutes left to play!
James Towell’s deflected effort from the edge of the box deceived the keeper and rippled the back of the net.
There was still time for 2 more Town chances!
Aaron Murrell had a lobbed effort cleared off of the line and Towell somehow missed the target in a 1-on-1 situation after latching on to Murrell’s good touch.
But, that was all the action on a wet and windy evening at Bell Close, which saw plenty of cards!
Despite Oxhey’s significant disadvantage, Town played some very good football in the second half, knocking the back around with style and confidence.
Overall, a good evening for Town under the lights and we progress through to the next round of the Premier Division Cup!
We’re back in action on Saturday, when we travel to Preston Park, for the 3rd time already this season, to face Broadfields United in the league!
See you there? Up the Town!