North West London Jets played a double-header in the Excel under-12 League against Shenley and Hampstead Harriers. The Jets secured three out of a possible four points with two strong performances.
The first match was against ShenlEy in which NWLJ ran out 4-0 victors with goals coming from Raphael de Beck Spitzer, David Amor, Akiva Restan and Jonathan Korn.
The first goal of the afternoon came from a fantastic run by David Amor who outpaced two defenders before crossing the ball low into the path of de Beck Spitzer to slot the ball into the net at the back post.
The Jets extended their lead three minutes later with Amor wrapping off a solo run with a magnificent chip over the Shenley goalkeeper.
Shenley were awarded a penalty on the brink of half time which was struck towards the bottom left-hand corner only for an outstanding diving save from Joel Leighton to deny Shenley a way back into the game.
Restan then waded in on the action with a fierce strike from the right through a group of bodies to rattle the back of the net.
The goal of the game came five minutes from full time. Restan intercepted a throw-on and passed the ball down the line into the path of Amor who crossed the ball towards the back post for Korn to control and calmly slot beyond the goalkeeper, to wrap up a comprehensive performance.
The second game of the day saw NWLJ and Hampstead Harriers play out a 2-2 draw. Hampstead Harriers grabbed the opener seven minutes in after a poor clearance across goal fell to the feet of a Hampstead Harriers striker whose shot beat the outstretched goalkeeper. NWLJ were unfortunate not grab an equaliser before half time as Matti Karp and Restan saw their chances go begging.
The second half saw Hampstead Harriers increase their advantage with a through ball releasing their striker in behind the Jets defence whose shot went straight through the goalkeeper and into the goal.
North West London Jets demonstrated great character, team spirit and quality as they continued their passing game which led to Joel Leighton securing a brace and bringing the Jets level. The first of Leighton's goals came courtesy of a through ball which opened up the Hampstead Harriers defence and allowed Leighton to run onto the ball and slot it past the opposing goalkeeper.
Leighton's second came courtesy of Restan playing the ball down the right wing to Amor who cut inside, beating two defenders before striking the ball towards goal. However, the Hampstead Harriers goalkeeper fumbled the ball which allowed Leighton to slot in the loose ball into the net.
Joel Leighton's outstanding performances earned him man of the day.
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