Following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Bedfont, Jets went into the game only a point clear of their opponents in the Combined Counties League Division One table. They remain in 19th following their third win of the campaign, but now have a four-point cushion over Rising Ballers, albeit having played four more games. The hosts had the edge on possession in the first half of a hard-fought contest that often flared up.
In one particular scramble, Ballers were denied the lead when Jets made three clearances off the line and there was one shot against the post, meaning the visitors were undoubtedly the more pleased of the two sides to go into the break level. It was clear things had to change and Jets management used the interval to switch formation and make substitutions. The introduction of George Rice and Patrick Brander added more pace to the Jets attack and this helped give them the upper hand after the break.
The visitors were in front in the 56th minute when a fine ball through found Patrick Brander, who coolly slotted past the keeper. A few minutes later, Brander nearly had a second - he went through and slotted home, but the flag was up for offside. However, the visitors were not to be denied on 70 minutes after Malachi Bailey burst down the left and was taken out.
Olly Pope's dangerous delivery from the free-kick was met in the area by Joe Reade, who planted the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0. Jets looked comfortable until a spectacular goal from the Ballers in the 86.