On a cold wet night Icarus faced Boston Utd under the floodlights at RAF Uxbridge. The record against Boston over recent seasons read; 0-2, 2-6, 1-3 and 0-0, so Icarus were still looking for their first win against the Pilgrims.

The first half began much as expected, with Boston keeping possession well and looking to find away past a packed Icarus defence. With Flt Lt Jim Schofield and Wg Cdr Rich Pratley now firmly established as the Icarus first choice centre back pairing they were able to deal effectively with the United attacks. Flt Lt Lee Hodgkinson was also having joy unsettling the Boston defenders with his physical approach.

After 20 minutes Flt Lt Mark Bowden was called into action to top a rasping drive over the bar for a corner. It was 10 minutes after this that Icarus took the lead when Fg Off Scott Hyndman, making his debut, won the ball on the half way line and fed Flt Lt Gino Portaluri who in turn played a high ball into the box which Hodgkinson forced over the line under a challenge from the Boston keeper.

Icarus nearly took a 2 goal led when a Flt Lt Rich Lowe free kick was headed back across the goal at the far post by Sqn Ldr Jase Parr and Portaluri missed his header from close range. Parr himself nearly scored his first Icarus goal when he had a header cleared of the line by a desperate Boston full back.

Icarus headed into the half time break a goal to the good and, while not seeing as much of the ball as Boston, looking the most threatening going forward. The Icarus coaching staff were fully expecting a close second half battle, but were confident that if they got a second goal it would be comfortable - they did not know at the time quite how right that prediction would turn out to be.

Boston began the second half in a confident manner, pushing forward and forcing Bowden into a couple of sharp saves. 10 minutes into the half however, Ben Joyce picked up the ball 30 yards out and after advancing he stuck the ball firmly into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. After securing the 2 goal advantage, Icarus pushed on and began to dominate the game against a very young side that were visibly shaken at the score line.

Hodgkinson made it 3-0, sliding in at the far post, and then capped a man of the match display by grabbing his hat-trick with a superb finish from just inside the penalty area 10 minutes later. Finally, Flt Lt Andrew Arnison scored his first goal from open play for the Club with a cross that looped in over a bewildered Boston goal keeper.

Boston Utd coach Steve Welsh told us after the game that while he was disappointed with the result, the fixture was a real highlight for his team and with the Boston players staying in Military transit accommodation and visiting Wembley the next day it was a good experience. He added that he was looking forward to the return fixture at the York Street Stadium in Boston at the end of the season!

This had been a great night for Icarus against a young, but talented Boston Utd team, who train full time and had drawn 0-0 with the Nottingham Forrest Academy the week before. The game was also notable for the remarkable milestones of 100 caps for Icarus that Hodgkinson and Arnison reached on the night.

Team: Mark Bowden, Jase Parr, Andrew Arnison, Richard Pratley, Jim Schofield, Rich Lowe (Andy Harris 60), Ben Joyce (Craig Percival 80), Danny Bartley (Declan Mcvickers 65), Gino Portaluri, Scott Hymnman, Lee Hodgkinson (Tom Summerville 75)