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Thu 25 Feb 2016
RAF Wittering 1sts
Icarus Senior Squad
1
1
A Wright (0')
Icarus Senior Squad v RAF Wittering 1sts
Icarus FC25 Feb 2016 - 16:00
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Match report
Following the exit at QF stage of the AFA Junior Cup, it was decided that organising fixtures against strong Station teams was required to challenge the players and start the preparations for next year’s campaign.
Due to various operational commitments a much changed squad assembled to face RAF Wittering which forced a change in formation to 3-5-2. A fast and aggressive start from RAF Wittering put Icarus on the back foot in the early exchanges. Two top class saves from Rose ensured the scores remained level until the breakthrough came in the 15th minute. A long ball from the Wittering defence and a slip from Hyndman allowed the centre forward to slot the ball home to make it 1-0.
This initiated Icarus reverting back to the 4-2-3-1 which had served Icarus so well throughout the season, with several players occupying unfamiliar positions. Hyndman redeemed himself almost instantaneously by threading a ball into the channel for Wright whose cross was met by Dixon, with his strike hitting the cross bar. With Icarus becoming increasingly assured in their performance they were back on level terms as Dixon picked up the ball on the halfway line, skipping inside the full back and putting Wright through one-on-one with goalkeeper. The skipper made no mistake and slotted the ball home on the half hour mark to draw Icarus level.
As the game progressed towards half time Hickinbotham and debutant Fenton began to stamp their authority in the midfield and drive Icarus forward. This dominance continued in the 2nd half with Icarus winning several set pieces in threatening areas, just lacking the finishing touch to take the lead. The flow of the game was far from one way traffic, and heroic defending from Cope, in only his second start since returning from OOA, and Turrell, playing in the unfamiliar position of right back kept the Wittering counter-attacks at bay.
One final piece of trickery from Dixon saw him beat 2 men in the penalty area before being bundled off the ball as he lined up to pull the trigger resulted in no foul and game ended 1-1. On reflection a fair result in testing circumstances against a quality station team.
Due to various operational commitments a much changed squad assembled to face RAF Wittering which forced a change in formation to 3-5-2. A fast and aggressive start from RAF Wittering put Icarus on the back foot in the early exchanges. Two top class saves from Rose ensured the scores remained level until the breakthrough came in the 15th minute. A long ball from the Wittering defence and a slip from Hyndman allowed the centre forward to slot the ball home to make it 1-0.
This initiated Icarus reverting back to the 4-2-3-1 which had served Icarus so well throughout the season, with several players occupying unfamiliar positions. Hyndman redeemed himself almost instantaneously by threading a ball into the channel for Wright whose cross was met by Dixon, with his strike hitting the cross bar. With Icarus becoming increasingly assured in their performance they were back on level terms as Dixon picked up the ball on the halfway line, skipping inside the full back and putting Wright through one-on-one with goalkeeper. The skipper made no mistake and slotted the ball home on the half hour mark to draw Icarus level.
As the game progressed towards half time Hickinbotham and debutant Fenton began to stamp their authority in the midfield and drive Icarus forward. This dominance continued in the 2nd half with Icarus winning several set pieces in threatening areas, just lacking the finishing touch to take the lead. The flow of the game was far from one way traffic, and heroic defending from Cope, in only his second start since returning from OOA, and Turrell, playing in the unfamiliar position of right back kept the Wittering counter-attacks at bay.
One final piece of trickery from Dixon saw him beat 2 men in the penalty area before being bundled off the ball as he lined up to pull the trigger resulted in no foul and game ended 1-1. On reflection a fair result in testing circumstances against a quality station team.
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