SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER LEAGUE

Both sides played well in the opening 25 minutes of the game with the Hare's just having the advantage at that stage
and they opened the scoring in the 28th minute when they created a fine move down the left wing and HARRY NEWMAN hit a cross into the penalty area and RICKY PITHER deflected the ball into the net. The visitors responded to the goal and they could have equalised in the 35th minute from a corner but the Hare's managed to clear the ball off of the goal-line. Both teams after this had a fair share of possession and they created half chances without success before half time.
United had the better of the early exchanges after the break and they eventually doubled their lead with another flowing move when MARK GILL feed the ball to HARRY NEWMAN and he again feed RICKY PITHER and he slotted the ball home.
He however aggravated an injury he was carrying and he replaced soon after.
The substitution changed the shape of the team and this allowed Oxhey to mount attacks of their own and they reduce the deficite in the 72nd minute when their Jordon Gutteridge headed home from a corner. It was not long after this that the Jets equalised when their Anton Collins hit a long range shot that flew into net before anyone could react.
The Red's were stung by the visitors goals but they gradually got back in the game and from one of their attacks they were awarded a free kick just outside the Jets penalty area. The ball was played into the box and all the players challenge for the ball and DANNY BENNELL unfortunately caught one of the Jet's defenders with a high boot as he tried to reach the ball and although this was not deliberate the referee gave him a straight red card.
The Jet's pressed forward after the sending off for a winner, However from a breakaway in the 85th minute KYLE MATTHEWS received the ball near the left-hand touchline and from a virtually impossible angle he swivelled and hit the ball high into the air with the outside of his foot and the ball sailed over a stranded Oxhey goalkeeper and nestle into the back of the net for the winning goal. Oxhey pressed for an equaliser but the Red's defended in depth and held out for the remaining minutes.

Team: Elston-Bull, Porter ( Duffy 75), Miller, Kinnane, Bennell, Gill , Grant, Hind,
Pither (Matthews 65), Smith, Newman (Gradwell 89).
Subs. Not used: Copson.

PHOTO: RICKY PITHER Scorer of first 2 goals