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« Last post by JCFC on Tue 27 Jan 2026 08:07 »
Having left behind a dry Reading, it was a surprise to find steady rain at Slough. Luckily, it was only a short walk to the Moon and Spoon, where the choice was a (disappointingly bland) haggis, with neeps and tatties, in the company of an Auld Acquaintance. When the time came to leave, the rain was pelting down, making for an unpleasant walk to Arbour Park for
Friday 23rd January 2026
Combined Counties League Division 1
Langley 2 v 2 Oxhey Jets
Bailey Wood; Paul Bennett, Harry Sweales
Again, it was necessary to head to the far end turnstile to gain admission, but at this point the rain relented. A cup of tea in the clubhouse cost a mere Ł1.30, and the programme was free!
In the early stages Langley defenders had plenty of possession, but JCFC decided that the visitors looked the more likely side. It will come as no surprise to those familiar with these musings, therefore, that on 8 minutes a Langley attacker won the chase for a long ball and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper into the net. The Oxhey keeper had to make a save just three minutes later to prevent Langley from doubling their lead. On 24 minutes, though, the Jets' number 7 timed his run perfectly to run clear of some statuesque defenders, leaving only the keeper to beat. As he was rounding him, the keeper made a grab for his ankle, the attacker half stumbled but stayed on his feet and was rewarded by being able to roll the ball into the net for the equaliser. A save by the home keeper on the half hour produced an instant release leading within seconds to a save at the other end. The best moment of the rest of the half was a smart turn by the Oxhey number 8, but the resulting shot was fired straight at the keeper, who blocked it to safety.
Each side introduced a substitute at the break. The incoming Oxhey man waited politely and patiently by the tunnel for the officials to appear. The referee marched straight past, the assistants trotted off to check the nets before AR1 made his way back to authorise the substation. Only at this point did the Langley man wander off the pitch to be allowed on.
A splendid long shot gave Langley the lead just after the hour and the Oxhey keeper was called into action again almost immediately, but Oxhey again soon drew level. They had the upper hand for most of the remaining time, but Langley threatened occasionally. There was plenty of endeavour, lots of tussles, but the match was played in a good spirit.
Mr Wood had quite bushy hair on top and was spared the cowpat look as his short back and sides was regrowing sufficiently, with further growth on his chin. There was one booking - for a late holding offence by Lanley's elder statesman - but little else to trouble him in a peaceful game. His movement was satisfactory, but little more, leading JCFC to feel, doubtless incorrectly, that here was someone happy doing his job well where he is, rather than pushing to attract attention with a view to promotion, though his handling of the match suggested that he could handle matches at a higher level quite comfortably.
The weather for the walk back to the station was dry, unfortunately JCFC was still not. Sadly, this time Langley omitted to open the bottom gate, adding an extra couple of minutes to the walk, with arrival at the station coinciding with the departure of a Westbound train. The next one was only going as far as Maidenhead, but JCFC boarded it in the hope that it would be warmer there. It wasn't, and the subsequent wait of sixteen minutes was not pleasant, but back at the hotel, the kettle was on by 22.54.
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