Icarus Senior Squad v Army Crusaders

Icarus arrived at the Military Stadium in confident mood after the club's double victory weekend against Citigroup and Honourable Artillery Company. Facing a much improved Army Crusaders under floodlights, Icarus knew they would have a battle on their hands from the off.
 
The first half started with a high tempo, with Icarus dominating possession. Using the benefits of the large pitch and lush surface, chances were ca plenty with efforts on goal from Steele, Turnbull, Dixon, Hutchings, Somerville and Fleming with the shots either well saved by the Crusaders goalkeeper or narrowly fired wide of the mark. The one-way traffic ensued and after several corners there was a penalty appeal which the referee appeared not to spot a number of fouls on Cope with some over zealous shirt pulling. However, it was the Army Crusaders who broke the deadlock with their first shot on target. After 35 minutes, a poor clearance at the back by Icarus, led to the Army Crusaders gaining possession. Here the Army made a couple of neat passes with their number 9 sweetly striking a half volley on the edge of the area that found the top corner of the net. The next 10 minutes lead to a slightly scrappy end to the half with a couple of long range efforts from both teams going wide of the mark.
 
In the second half, Icarus continued to gain momentum and confidence; it was only a matter of time before they made the breakthrough. The Crusaders goalkeeper made a string of outstanding saves, keeping his team in front. On the hour mark, a free-kick was awarded to Icarus just inside their own half. Hyndman lofted a smart ball up field, which was won by Cope, but came off a Crusaders head for an Icarus corner. From the resulting set play, Turnbull provided and excellent and deceiving ball that had pace, whip and dip and found its way in to the far hand corner. Parallels of the goal were made to Junior Stanislas goal for Bournemouth against Manchester United earlier this season.
 
The individual battles pursued with Boxall, Hutchings and Fleming all making some strong but fair tackles. Meanwhile the Army additionally demonstrated their desire making some good interceptions and challenges across the pitch in this closely contested representative fixture.  However, the pressure in front of Army goal mounted from Icarus and their build up play from the midfield continued to flow. This time an excellent ball was threaded through for Somerville who used his pace to get away from his man. Again it was the Crusaders goalkeeper who got a decisive touch on the ball as Somerville attempted to round him. He then demonstrated his agility to get back on his line and make a further save from what looked like a certain goal. Further attempts from Dixon and Hutchings were additionally thwarted by the Crusaders shot-stopper.
 
As the Army continued to cling on for a draw, the final attempt fell to Turnbull, who had a chance from a tight angle to win the game, but narrowly fired wide of the target.
 
A well fought contest from both teams resulted in a 1-1 draw, with the return fixture due to take place at St Georges Park later this year.
  
T Cope