Icarus Vets travelled with a small but perfectly formed squad for their first game of the season, away to the Army Crusaders. The main problem facing key players Lindsay, Jackson, Hetherington, Godwin and Barlow was whether they would arrive in one piece with that demon of the highways Pete Beer at the wheel. There’s only one thing worse than being given a lift by Pete, and that’s being given a lift by Pete when he’s angry – and this man was seething. His mood, never light in footballing matters, darkened further following the late arrival of one nameless player (Mike Greenway) who proved incapable of navigating to a football stadium whilst simultaneously listening to the car radio.

One furious team talk later the players emerged onto the hallowed turf of Aldershot Military Stadium and stamped an early authority on the game. Bond atoned for missing a first minute sitter by coolly giving the team a 1-0 lead, which he doubled with a penalty. Pullen, who has now personally tried every meal in the ‘Help for Heroes’ cookbook, was proving a handful up front, and he comfortably slotted the ball into an empty net, following the best passing move of the match (Greenway-Lindsay-Hetherington-Bond).

Half time, 3-0 up and the future of the match relatively secure, Beer shuffled his pack for the next 45. The previously influential Hetherington was moved up front to cover for the departed Pullen (injured). More pace was needed in the centre of the defence, so Lindsay and Barlow replaced Farrell M and Lowe and the game gravitated towards a bit of attack v defence. Unfortunately it was their attack v our defence. Never mind, it gave Jackson the chance to show off in goal and claim ‘Man of the Match’, whilst Swann provided some sterling work running about in a defensive fashion. It was all too much for Greenway who decided to leave the pitch without bothering with a replacement. Beer, tiring of the management lark, came on and stung the keeper’s hands with a rasping volley, Bond missed a chance of hat-trick glory; the ball was not going home with him today! Final score: Army Crusaders 1 RAF Icarus 3.

So that was that: played one won one and a 100% record. A nice curry afterwards, a chat with our Army friends and it was only the perils of the homeward journey to face before a happy weekend. Well done to all – next up it’s Old Tiffinians – see you there.

Team: Jackson, Greenway, Farrell K, Lowe (Swann 55), Farrell M, Lindsay, Hetherington (Beer 60), Pullen (Barlow 45), Bond, Godwin. Subs not used: .