reports

Match Reports 2004/2005

date: Sunday 10th July, 2005
venue: Mile End Stadium, London
kick-off: tbn
weather: warm and sunny
pitch condition: Astro turf
competition: Paul Adamson 5-a-side Memorial Cup

The 1st Annual Paul Adamson 5-a-side Memorial Cup saw the Saitama Jets FC finish fourth in a five team competition in the East End of London.

The second match for the Jets was against the mighty Shelter FC, the renowned club known for its pre-match analysis of the opposition as, “We beat this team last year,” only to find itself drubbed at the end of the match. No good dwelling on past glory. As only three of its members showed up, the Jets were champing at the bits. But shoddy 2nd half goalkeeping from the American, Joe Frederick, ensured the mighty Shelter finished mightily. Shelter FC 6. Jets FC 5.

At the end of the match a visibly shaken Paul Donohoe took Steve Parker’s words of “encouragement” as less than. Donners stated, “I’m not going to be bullied.”

In typical Welsh style, the wily Huw Waters made a fashionably late appearance from the confines of Cambridge. Huw’s fresh legs were a welcome respite to the ageing legs of the once youthful Paul Farthing. The Jets next game was against Osaka Old Boys and an air of familiarity hovered about as each side renewed its rivalry from the days of yore. In “extra” time, the Jets secured a 4-3 victory.

The last match for the Jets was against last year’s Cup winner, Shakespeare FC. The East End pub team put together a fine tactical game to put away the Jets 7-3. In true Jets spirit, a gutsy performance was given by Donners, Steve, Huw, Joe, Tom, and Farthing as many of their efforts on goal went woefully off target.

Shakespeare FC continued its winning ways by claiming the Cup. Donners was leading scorer for the Jets. Steve was voted best player for the Jets. The Jets showed moments of brilliance and true grit, but in the end lack of a true keeper and fitness did them no justice. Although the Jets finished fourth in the competition, the beautiful sunny day and the spirit of the tournament continued on throughout the afternoon at the Shakespeare pub. The tournament was played in remembrance of Paul Adamson and for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Thanks to Steve for organising the tournament and contributing photos. Thanks to Jets supporters, Jackie Farthing, Seon Hee, and Abi Rayfield.

Jets: Defense: Paul Donohoe (Birmingham), Paul Farthing (Yeovil); Midfield: Joe Frederick (Washington DC), Tom MacInnes (Norwich); Forwards: Steve Parker (Southampton), Huw Waters (Wales) and Paul Adamson (Liverpool)

Gallery

date: Saturday 18th June, 2005
venue: Shinsuna Undojo
kick-off: 12:00
weather: warm and sunny
pitch condition: Astro turf
opponents: Stealth Fighters
competition: Friendly
scores: 1(0)-(1)3 (Yoshi)

Beaut, Mate

In the second period, the Jets fought back, and looked very comfortable throughout. Simon, Yasu, Masato and Yasu looked solid at the back, and we also started creating chances once Yoshi came on in midfield. Chris put a nice teasing cross onto Ryan's header, but he was unable to direct his header on target. Gary also headed back across the face of goal after a good cross from Yoshi, but no-one was there to apply the finishing touch. We did pull one back, when Ryan burst free of the tugging defender on the left, and cut the ball back for the onrushing Yoshi to nod simply home. 1-1 at the end of the second period, and we were definitely on top.

In the third and final period, tiredness and a couple of lapses in concentration gave the Stealth Fighters a couple of simple goals near the end of the game. We were rightly beaten, but performed well against skilful opponents, and we should take the good points from this game with us to Nagano. We certainly need to create more chances and score some more goals, particularly from midfield. Thanks to Yasu for organising the game.

date: Saturday 9th April, 2005
venue: Ina
kick-off: 13:15
weather: warm and sunny
pitch condition: dirt
opponents: Dutch Embassy
competition: TML
scores: 2(1)-(2)2 (Gary, Ryan)

Promotion Hopes End In a Whimper

The slim promotion hopes of the Saitama Jets and the Dutch Embassy both ended with a 2-2 draw between the teams at Ina on April 9th. The Dutch started strong, and went ahead after a mixup between rookie Jets goalkeeper Fraser Gould and defender Yasu Suyama gifted the Dutch striker an easy chance. The Jets fought back, and went close on a number of occasions, particularly through striker Nate Gildart. The equalizer was a touch fortunate, as midfielder Gary Garner launched a long cross-shot from the right, which sailed over the keeper's head to level the game at 1-1. As half-time neared, the Jets pushed for a second goal, but were hit on the break by a quick Dutch attack which ended with the unmarked Dutch midfielder slotting home to give the men in orange a 2-1 lead.

In the second half, Saitama laid siege to the Dutch goal. The second equalizer came midway through the half, as striker Ryan Loren's deflected freekick wrong-footed the keeper to square things at 2-2. The Dutch goal then lived a charmed life, as Loren, Mark Eite, midfielder Sasaki, central defender John Rayner and newboy Chris Westrop were all thwarted by the acrobatics of the Dutch goalie. It ended 2-2, and both teams will battle away again in Division 2 next season.

GG

date: Sunday 20th March, 2005
venue: Yoshikawa Koen
kick-off: 13:00
weather: fine
pitch condition: dirt?
opponents: Kume Kume Club, Thousand Stars
competition: Friendly
scores: 3-1, 2-1

Sasaki Sizzles as Wataru Bows Out in Style

The Jets assembled in the dust of Yoshikawa Koen on Sunday the 20th to bid farewell to striker Wataru Kohayakawa. Against weak opposition, the boys in blue won two close games, with midfielder Sasaki helping himself to 3 goals along the way, and Wataru, true to form, poaching a goal 5 minutes from the end of the game to end his Jets career in style.

Jets 3-1 Kume Kume Club (Sasa 2, Gary) (Yellow Card: Mark)

With Mark stuck in a traffic jam in Omiya, and Wataru running late as well, we started with the unfamiliar pairing of Calvin and Nao up front. New signing Canadian Eric played on the right of a four-man midfield, and showed why the Jets fought so hard to sign him from the Toronto Mooseheads in the January transfer period. Chunky was asked to fill in at centre half alongside newlywed John. It was a scrappy first half, lit up mostly by the strong running of Eric, the hard work of Calvin and Nao, and the brilliance of Sasaki. His first goal came after good work down the right-hand side left him open in the area. His second was a little more spectacular. He evaded a challenge on the edge of the box before firing high into the top corner with his hammerlike left foot. Nao had a few chances to add another, but at half-time, it was 2-0 to the Jets. In the second half, we played with a little more composure and skill, and could have added a few more goals. Calvin and Mark soon realised that if they put the yellow defence under any sort of pressure, they would crumble. The third goal came after such pressure, as the keeper cleared poorly straight to the waiting Gary. He dragged the ball past the last defender before calmly slotting home with his left foot. Somehow we failed to add further goals, and even managed to concede one as well. Yasu tapped the ankle of a yellow forward 5 yards outside the box, and the fat ref, from 30 yards away, inexplicably gave a penalty. Fraser dived in the dust, but just failed to reach the well-placed penalty. Fired-up by the injustice, the Jets kept pressing, but couldn't add another goal, despite rattling the bar with a well-struck Garner drive. Final score: 3-1 to the Jets.

Jets 2-1 Thousand Stars (Sasa, Wataru)

The Red team were clearly a little more organized than the fellas in yella. They looked lively coming forwards, but didn't seem too stable at the back. Deryk almost nodded the Jets in front after a great cross from Ikko, but he just failed to connect, coming up with the inadequate excuse that it was "because I'm only 5 foot 6!" Wataru threatened to score, but managed to sky one shot miles over the bar and drag another one just wide. John Rayner also decided to play an 'attacking' role fromcentre half, and found himself close to goal on a number of occasions without being able to grab his first goal of this campaign.

Once again, it was left to Sasaki to break the deadlock. He skipped past 2 defenders before drilling a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner. It looked as though it would stay 1-0 until half-time, until 3 red forwards broke and our defenders all went walkabout. Kosuke did brilliantly to block the first effort, but the follow-up just evaded his outstretched hand, levelling the score at 1-1. In the second half, the Jets were rampant, with Deryk, Wataru and Mark up front, and Sasa, Ikko and Tomo spraying the ball about in midfield. Mark and Wataru both had clear chances, but couldn't make up their minds whether to pass or shoot, and ended up doing neither. Then, with just a few minutes remaining, Sasaki played a great ball into the path of the onrushing Mark. The skipper's touch on the bumpy surface let him down, allowing the keeper to block his shot. Up popped Wataru to slide the rebound in for his final Jets goal. There was just enough time for one of the Red forwards to fall over his own feet and be given a free kick, and the Jets to scramble it clear. A well-deserved victory for the men in blue, although there should be some questions asked about our failure to finish more of the chances we made.

GG

date: Sunday 20th February, 2005
venue: Nodai
kick-off: 13:00
weather: fine
pitch condition: patchy grass
opponents: KGFC
competition: TML
scores: 0(0)-(1)2

Jets Lose Out In Table Top Clash

JETS 0 - 2 KGFC

We started well, creating some good chances, hustling well, and generally controlling the game for the first 15 minutes. Ryan had a couple of good chances, but we slowly started to let KGFC off the hook. Coming up to half time KGFC had fought their way back into the game, and they scored with an easy short-range header. Frazer put in some great saves to keep the score down to 1-0. The second half was a mixed bag. We often failed to clear our lines, playing into a ferocious wind, but defended tenaciously. We made some strong counter-attacks, with Simone, Sasa and Ryan combining well down the left. Mikey put a chance agonizingly wide with a couple of minutes left, shortly before KGFC bagged their second goal. Overall, it was a gutsy performance by the JETS against the unbeaten league leaders. We looked strongest when we moved the ball on quickly. KGFC were the stronger team on the day, but we outplayed them for some periods. 2 league games left to play, and every point will count.

Yellow card: M.Eite

MS

date: Sunday 13th February, 2005
venue: YC&AC
kick-off: 11:30
weather: fine
pitch condition: patchy grass
opponents: YC&AC2
competition: TML
scores: 5(5)-(0)1 (Ryan(3), Mark(2))

The Jets kept up their bid for promotion from Division 2 of the Tokyo Metropolis League with a deserved 5-1 victory over a weak YCAC 2nd team. Goals from Mark (2) and Ryan (3) sealed the victory, but it was a good all-round performance by the whole team. Star performer was perhaps Yoshi, who ran his legs off in midfield.

The rout started when an Eite corner was well-met by Gary at the far post, who thudded a firm header against the bar. The ball bounced down to Ryan, who nodded it back over the keeper and in off the underside of the bar. Eite added a second with a well timed run to meet a perfectly weighted Sasaki defence splitting pass. His first time volley finish was Henryesque right into the top of the net. Ryan then scrambled a third.

Jets Number 9, Calvin Ogata, on the break at YCAC as Gary Garner looks on in polo shirt

The fourth Jets goal came after a lovely ball from Sasaki picked out Mark, who finished clinically with a side-footed volley. In a first-half totally dominated by the men in blue (and yellow bibs!), Nate also hit the bar, and narrowly missed again after rounding the keeper. Mark had one more chance, racing on to a long ball from Gary and executing his trademark loopy lob, only for the ball to bounce harmlessly wide of the far post. Just as the half was about to finish, Ryan drove in a low cross from the left, and the YCAC keeper managed to let it wriggle through his hands and into his bottom corner. Half-time, and we were 5-0 up.

The second half was less spectacular, with the Jets failing to use the space as well as they had in the first 30 or 40 minutes. Calvin and Gary had chances from headers, and Mark went close with a couple of snap-shots, but we didn't manage to score again, and YCAC even got a consolation goal. A bit of a mix-up at the back involving first Dave, then Simon and Fraser, left a YCAC striker with a chance inside the box, which he dispatched neatly into the bottom corner.

This was a game we needed to win, and the comfort of the victory suggested that we may be able to cause an upset next week against the runaway league leaders KGFC.

date: Sunday 9th January, 2005
venue: Oi Dai Ni
kick-off: 17:45
weather: parky windy evening
pitch condition: artificial
opponents: Kanto Celts
competition: Friendly
scores: 0(4)-(2)2 (Ryan, Mark, Gary, Mike)

Jets opening game of 2005, played on a parky winter evening at the Oi ground near Tokyo Bay, a location where the Jets have not been blessed with great fortune.. until today!

There's not too much to be said about the first half. A slightly promising start turned a little sour. Early chances came for Derek and Nao, but on around the 20 minute mark, we found ourselves a goal down. The Celts were well-organised and determined. They moved the ball forward quickly, but were left to rue a period where they hit the bar and posts in rapid succession. Some stern defending kept JETS in the game.

The second half started in similar fashion, Celts breaking quickly, and pouncing to go 2-0 up. JETS thought they were 3-0 down to a horribly off-side goal, but fortunately the ref over-ruled. This seemed to spur the lads on, and within minutes, the JETS put together a sweeping passing move, starting on the right wing, moving through the centre and finishing with Ryan, who hammered home a trademark low, driven shot. The Celts still threatened, but JETS seemed to have an extra spring in their step. A few minutes later Gary hit a lovely long ball through for Mark to chase. And chase it he did, running like a deer. The keeper charged out, but Mark kept his cool and lobbed. For a couple of seconds the ball hung in the air, and the lads waited with bated breath, but the shot was true. 2-2.

Celts seemed nervous now, and the JETS were on fire. We won a free-kick on the left, well outside the box, at a lovely angle for getting a cross onto a JET head. Gary, however had different ideas. He struck a big looping ball into the D, it floated over the heads of the waiting players, over the keeper, and under the bar. Sweet! 3-2 to the JETS. Even among all the excitement, Nao's first reaction was to shout "Mada, mada, mo ichi ten o toranai to!", and this the JETS duly did, another sweeping passing move, with Tomo eventually driving a beautiful pass across the D to find Mikey on the far post. His confident shot left the keeper helpless. 4-2 to the JETS. The ref blew time to leave the Celts as bewildered victims of JETS first 2-goal winning comeback in living memory.

This was a thrilling victory to kick off 2005. JETS showed great tenacity to stay in the game, despite being outplayed for long periods. We defended bravely, rode out our luck and struck with venom, an 11-headed scorpion with a vicious sting in its tail. Love it! Love you all!

MS

Jets 4 - 2 Kanto Celts

The Saitama Jets pulled off an amazing comeback against the promotion-chasing Kanto Celts at Oi, coming from 2-0 with 20 minutes left to win 4-2.

The Celts controlled most of the first half, and the Jets were lucky to keep the score to 1-0 at the break. Midway through the second half, the Celts doubled their lead, and looked set for a comfortable victory. The Jets then switched to 3 up front, and veteran midfielder Gary Garner came off the bench to help mastermind the Saitama recovery.

First, Jets top scorer Ryan Loren slotted home after good work from Dave Long, Mark Eite and Matt S combining to set up Sami Noiri in the Celts box. Then, a long pass from Garner picked out Jets captain Mark Eite, who galloped past the last Celts defender and lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper. The 3rd Jets goal came when Garner floated a 30-yard free kick over the wall and keeper into the top corner. A splendid day for the Jets was capped when hardworking midfielder Tomo Kobayashi sliced open the Celts defence with a pinpoint ball, which Mike Passmore gratefully slotted in from close range.

Having dominated a number of games without being able to kill teams off, the Jets were happy to finally get a slice of luck in the league this season.

GG

date: Saturday 18th December, 2004
venue: Omiya Musashino Koko
kick-off: 11:00
weather: sunshine
pitch condition: dirt
opponents: Omiya Norte, Musashino HS
competition: Friendly
scores: 0-2, 2-3 (Calvin, Ryu)

Game 1: Jets 0 - 2 Norte

The game began badly, and ended badly, but JETS were pretty solid in between. Jets started the game with the 5-3-2 formation which had served them well in the previous week。ッs friendlies, but against a skilful opposition with speedy wingers, 3 defenders were clearly not enough. The defence were being overrun from the wings, and we conceded within the first 5 minutes. We switched back to 4-4-2 and after that seemed to settle. The defence looked more solid, and our wingers, Mikey, back after a long injury lay-off, and Yoshi had more freedom to weave their magic. There were 3 or 4 good chances in the first half with Calvin, Sam and Ryan all going close. The second half looked promising, but 25 minutes just wasn。ッt enough to find the equalizer. JETS were caught pushing forward too far, and let in a soft goal at the death. A disappointing end to a well-fought game, played in good spirit. "Mr Noguchi" the nervous-looking goalie brought in on loan from Norte's junior team, gained confidence through the game, and incidentally, made a couple if fine saves in game 2.

Game 2: Jets 2 - 3 Musashino High School

Their forward was less than 12 years old, and less than 4 feet tall. Tomo brutally shoved him off the ball late in the second half. Boo! We again conceded in the first half, and it looked like being a bit of a replay of the first game. The opponents always knew where to find their team-mates, and were a pacy bunch of players. But the JETS hang in there. 1-0 at half-time, but we were starting to get a bit more time on the ball. Soon after half-time, their striker (a bigger one) headed in at the near post from a corner, but we kept our heads up. Olivier, having a run in midfield, picked up the ball wide on the left, and belted a long ball into the D.... where Jonny Rayner (!) chested down and laid off to Ryan, who teed up Calvin for one pendulum-like swing of his accurate right foot and we were back in the game. 1-2. JETS were rampant now, and Ryu, a lion in midfield, played a neat 1-2 with Olivier, then another with Ryan. Ryu, now through to the box, just had time to fire off a shot, and blasted it into the back of the net. 2-2!!! Now anything seemed possible, until the Koukousei reminded us of their speed again to steal a late winner. Gutted!

Everyone played hard, and kept running and challenging right to the end. If we can keep up the spirit, and add a little tighter marking and a touch more accuracy on our passes, the results will come!!! (Professional-level analysis provided by Andy Gray and Matt S)..sorry if iI forgot to mention anyone.

MS

date: Sunday 28th November, 2004
venue: Hachioji Soccer Ground, Yono
kick-off: 17:10
weather: floodlight
pitch condition: artificial surface
opponents: Copel FC
competition: FJ Cup
scores: 3(2)-(0)0 (Sasaki, Mark, Sam)

A surprise cup fixture found the Saitama Jets moving up a gear in readiness for the New Year Saitama Stadium challenge. First glimpse of the opposition looked ominous, one guy effortlessly keeping up a tennis ball while his mates were confident enough to take drags on fags. Lining up to curtsy, eagle-eyed Chunky spotted a chink in their armor. Only 10 men in their team!

The lads took a liking to the new, "I can't believe it's not grass" surface, suiting the Jets passing game honed to perfection on futsal Fridays. Simone, gleaming in the floodlights at left back, was making powerful attacking runs. On the opposite flank, Chunky was causing damage down the right with partner in crime, unchunky Yoshi. The return to fitness and shape of young Gary Garner is a welcome sight to all Jetters, his beautiful balls probing leaks in the oppositions' gaping holes.

But it was Yuki Sasaki, the talismanic midfielder, performing to his potential as he does when watched by his adoring fan who broke the deadlock. A searching Yoshi centre found the floundering goalie unable to hold, gifting an easy chance for the boy who takes 2 bottles and a little tray of oils and fragrances into the shower.

Minutes later a certain goal was denied by defender Big John Rayner....unfortunately denied to the Jets. B.J.R mocked laws of physics to scoop the ball over the bar, a couple of centimetres from the goal. Apparently his instinctive defensive skills make scoring difficult.

Playing sexy Gallic stuff at the back despite missing M. Olivier De Normandy led to an exquisite cross from Yoshi. Finding Mark Eite on the right using all his height and might to rise like a tously coiffeured salmon in the night to glance a classic strikers' goal. Incidentally, Marks' celebration sprint was a personal best.

Later in the first half Dave Long predictably twanged a bad note on his hamstring while nobody was looking and surreptitiously limped off pretending to be ok. Will the injury prone veteran be ready for Saitama stadium? Who knows? Who cares?

Matt Setterfield and new Sam came on to stretch their sinews. The second half saw this reporter recuperating with a can of best ale and missing Sam score a goal which by all accounts from a pretty young supporter from Long Island was a work of majesty. Sam sewed up the game with a poetic run finished with a piece of nonchalance, worthy of William Wordsworth. Sam joins a forward roster that is bulging at the seams, still there's plenty of room in the Jets camp for another goalhanger.

In the final minutes Tomo was seen to shove an attacker in the middle of the back. The only person who saw this was the referee, who awarded a penalty. Eisukes' imposing physical presence was enough to keep his sheet fresh and Persil clean as the penalty cannoned off the crossbar and into the floodlights. An impressive performance from the Jets, looking strong, full of verve, oomph and the je ne sais quoi that's been missing in recent league games.

DL

date: Sunday 21st November, 2004
venue: Yokosuka Airforce Base
kick-off:
weather: sun
pitch condition: grass
opponents: Yokosuka FC, Yokota
competition: Friendly
scores: 1-2 (Calvin), 2-1 (Ikko, Sam)

Under a beautiful blue sky and on an adequate grass pitch the JETs took on Yokota and Yokosuka with a small, yet determined side. The festivities were opened with a quick trip to the Commissary. Yasu was extremely impressed with the quality of American fast food giant Burger King (affectionately known as Burger Thing). He was quoted as saying "bgggdered!" which Matt Setterfield skillfully translated as "Damned Oishii." Well done Matt. Yasu's glory was somewhat overshadowed by Yoshi's assessment of Taco Bell. When asked "How is it?" he stoically replied, "Duuuuuuude."

After arriving at the stadium we changed and watched Tomo smoke. Chunk simply warmed up. Oli, switching form his usual intense, fierce and focused visage, cuddled his girlfriend Kaori and brandished her with kisses. France would be proud. Tomo had another smoke.

The first 30-minute period resulted in a 1-0 loss to a solid Yokosuka side. No thanks to the numerous chances by the midfield and some loud-mouth Canadan (not Simon, but the other loud-mouth Canadan). Canadia would be unimpressed. "Hitting the post twice just doesn't cut it Gildart". Matt Setterfield came close to putting the JETs ahead, but came up slightly short. However, is flowing golden locks more than made up for the near miss. Eisuke made it respectable with a number of critical saves that were without a doubt of English third division standard.

The JETs improved in the second period. Deryk apologized for his uncalled thrashing of the Yokota midfielder. Musa the Ugandan Witchdoctor pressed the offense. And stayed there. Tomo reflected with another smoke. Although still unable to score after mixing up the attack, a 0-0 result was held.

By the third 30-minute period the JETs dug deep. Olivier took a tab up front, and literally stayed with the last man. Unable to fire one in he complied, 哲ate doesn稚 suck, the field sucks". The promise of an unforgettable night in the Love Shack wasn稚 enough to get him a goal. Mighty Honolulu native Calvin O. came through with a cleverly touched ball into the Yokosuka goal. The keeper was heard to woefully moan 鄭hhhhh maaaaan" Unfortunately, Yokosuka equalized. The Jets kept their heads up as they dominated the game, and the result was an improvement on the previous two. Undaunted, Olivier returned to the bench for a cuddle.

In the final frame the JETs came out swinging and scored. This was another stab at Yokosuka in which Nao & Mark replacement "am the guy from England" confidently slotted an Ikko free kick into the Yokosuka net. There were more chances and breaks but a breakthrough didn稚 come until after Yokota痴 dramatic equalizer in the final minutes. Nate received a ball from someone on his own team, did a pre-goal back flip and pirouette before squeezing the miracle sphere across the net to a waiting, salivating, grunting Ikko who neatly slipped it past the keeper.

After Tomo bummed a smoke we sat around the fire eating greasy American hamburgers and big fat hot dogs (there were apparently no wieners, excluding Simon). Since the JETs don稚 drink alcohol we passed on the beer. Yasu ate a record 531 hot dogs. Olivier cuddled. Tomo smoked. Nate made hollow excuses. We talked, laughed and sang 適umbaya My Lord" before traveling back to Japan.

.NG

date: Saturday 30th October, 2004
venue:
kick-off: 13:00
weather: rain
pitch condition:
opponents:
competition: TML Div 2
scores: 1(0)-(0)0 Ryan

Saitama Jets defeated BFC Vagabonds 1-0 on Sunday with a goal from Ryan Loren.

The Vagabonds playing with league supremo and professional model Sid Lloyd (pic) in their ranks nearly snatched a draw with a last minute penalty but Eisuke Harada turned the ball onto the post and scrambled to smother the follow up and keep the Jets promotion push on track.

Saitama began the stronger in the first half with Mark Eite hitting the bar and Sami Noiri and Nate Gildart also coming close but couldn't convert.

It was Ryan Loren who broke the deadlock early into the second half with a looping header from a pin-point Yoshi Osawa cross. The Jets continued to push and should have put the game out of reach when Yukihiro Sasaki stepped up to take a debatable penalty won by Loren. Instead Sasaki nicely placed the ball wide and a nail biting finish was set up.

With hardly any time remaining Sid Lloyd cleverly collapsed in the box under pressure from Sasaki and the referee interestingly awarded a spot-kick. Lloyd stepped up to take the penalty himself but Eisuke got down to parry his low sidefooted shot and the Jets escaped.

date: Saturday 6th November, 2004
venue: Katsushika-Ku Sogo Sports Center
kick-off: 18:30
weather: floodlight
pitch condition:
opponents: FC Kitolars
competition: Friendly
scores: 4-13 (Ryan(2), Calvin, Sami)

The Jets played a friendly match against FC Kitolars on Saturday even under the lights of Katsushika-Ku Sogo Sports Center. The much younger and quicker Kitolars team took it to the Jets in the opening minutes of the first of four 30 minute halves. The loan goal coming from an excellent free kick pass from Ikko to Ryan who lofted it over the keeper for a final of 4-1 in the first.

The second half saw the same amount of frustration as in the first. Although, Chunky did his best to let in only four goals. Sami had the goal of the night with a long 35 yarder over the keepers head, pure Garneresc! During the third half Gary got loose down the far right side and sent a long cross in for the ever-header-ready Calvin who polished off a beautiful header into the back of the net.

The fourth and final half Yasu did his best Eisuke impression and only let in (one, two???) goal(s). Ryan added another goal off a scramble inside the 18 yard box, and volleyed one in the upper left corner. All-in-all it was a lesson to be learned in first touches, smart and simples passes, and as Dave Long would say, "We need to do more training!" True. True.

RL

date: Sunday 24th October, 2004
venue: Ina
kick-off: 13:00
weather: warm sunshine
pitch condition:
opponents:
competition: TML Div 2
scores: 4-2

Saitama Jets raced into a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes against Nova on Sunday and never looked troubled.

Captain Mark Eite (picture here with first scorer prize of a baby) opened the scoring from an inswinging cross by stand-in left back Ryu Ohashi. Ryan then added two with Calvin wrapping things up in the second half after latching onto a defence splitting cross from Gary Garner.

Nova's goals came from two defensive mix-ups.

ME

date: Sunday 17th October, 2004
venue: Ueno Gakuin
kick-off: 09:45
weather: warm sunshine
pitch condition:
opponents:
competition: Highland Games
scores:

Gary Garner (picture here with top scorer prize of a packet of Salt n' Vinegar crisps) scored four of the Jets six goals and single handedly blitzed reigning Division One Champions Hibs with three.

The Jets lost to Swiss in a closely fought opener but after beating the Embassy and Hibs looked set for a place in the semi-finals. Returning to the form of years gone by they ended the day losing to the groups weakest team, Celts, by a single goal in the last game but proved that they have what it takes to compete at a higher level.

date: Saturday 25th September, 2004
venue: Ina
kick-off: 13:15
weather: warm sunshine
pitch condition:
opponents: Barbarians
competition: TML Div 2
score: 1-0

Saitama Jets picked up their first points of the season with a victory over Barbarians at Ina on Saturday. The Jets managed to control most of the match but only found the net once in the first half when Nathan Gildart cleverly knocked down a loose ball for Ryan Loren to spin on the edge of the box and volley home. The second half was played almost exclusively in Barbarians territory but the Jets couldn't manage to score a second goal with Nathan Gildart and captain Mark Eite both missing chances. The Barbarians managed several breaks but didn't really consistently threaten.

ME

date: Sunday 5th September, 2004
venue: Tokyo
kick-off: 19:00
weather: warm evening
pitch condition: bouncy astro
opponents: JI'z
competition: Friendly
score: 12(twewlve)-1

The Jets returned to form crushing Tokyo team JI'z 12(twelve)-1 on Sunday evening. Goals in the first period from Ryan and Mark put them 4-0 and the replacement forwards Calvin and Nate doubled the lead in the second.

Despite the weak opposition the win helps to restore some much needed confidence into the Jets camp. Friday's futsal practice was followed by a team meeting and Sasaki and Ikko were instrumental in devising the new tactical formation that brought victory.

Again numbers were high with 17 players and 5 supporters making the journey. With only one more friendly remaining before the start of the TML and tournament season the Jets are still working to find their best lineup. The new formation should help players to fit into position more easily.

ME

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