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Sat 17 Sep 2016
Guernsey FA Representative XI
Icarus Senior Squad
1
3
S Tyers (0'), T Somerville (0'), A Toogood (0')
Icarus Senior Squad v Guernsey FA Representative XI
Icarus FC17 Sep 2016 - 19:45
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Match report
On a warm late summer’s evening Icarus’s pre-season annual overseas training camp came to a conclusion against a Guernsey FA Representative XI at St Martin’s FC. With the glare of the floodlights beaming down onto the perfectly manicured surface, a relatively large crowd packed the small stand to create a classic ‘European night’ fixture atmosphere. This generated a positive nervousness amongst the squad as Icarus left the sanctuary of their compact changing room to face their toughest opponent for several seasons.
The Guernsey FA XI started the game and stroked the ball round the park with consummate ease. It was immediately evident, the difficulty of the task ahead of the Icarus boys. At times during the opening exchanges it appeared that Guernsey were in a class of their own as they tore through the new look Icarus back line. It was thanks to a string of excellent saves from goalkeeper Sqn Ldr Bowden that the scores remained 0-0. However after 15 minutes a perfectly executed pass from deep released the Guernsey centre forward who clinically lifted the ball over the head of Bowden, 1-0.
Not to be disheartened Icarus responded immediately looking to probe the Guernsey defence in wide areas. A threaded ball through from Flt Lt Hickinbotham released Flt Lt Steele, who pulled up with a thigh strain. After a promising personal start Steele was clearly disappointed at the reoccurrence of an injury sustained a couple of days previous, and he was replaced by Fg Off Sturgess. Icarus started to settle into the game and develop a rhythm to their passing as Flt Lt’s Williams and Hickinbotham began to stamp their authority in the centre of midfield. This still couldn’t deny an excellent Guernsey team creating another goal scoring opportunity, to once again be denied by the outstanding Bowden, as he clawed a shot away that was destined for the ‘top bin’! As the half developed both sides went toe-to-toe, with several fair but fierce challenges being made. It was clear that both sets of players were demonstrating immense pride in representing their respective teams.
As the half drew to a close some intricate play from Flt Lt Wright and Fg Off Fleming won Icarus their first corner of the match. The delivery from Flt Lt Hickinbotham was executed to perfection and was met by Flt Lt Tyers as he rose in front of the Guernsey goalkeeper to make the score 1-1. The scores remained level until the half time whistle. A few tactical tweaks and words of encouragement came from the Icarus coaching staff during the break. This immediately paid dividends as the Icarus front line began to tear into the Guernsey defence. Breakaway attacks from Flt Lt Toogood and Fg Off (Rtd) Somerville created confusion in the Guernsey defence, only for last ditch defending to deny Icarus the lead. At the other end of the field the Icarus back four had grown in confidence with the centre back pairing of Flt Lt’s Tyers and Bateman restricting Guernsey to long range shots.
It was the hour mark that saw Icarus make their 2nd breakthrough of the night. Some excellent harassing of the Guernsey midfield by Flt Lt Williams resulted in him winning the ball in the middle third of the field, before a swift pass released Flt Lt Toogood. Toogood’s one-two exchange with Somerville put him in the clear and his sublime lofted finish beat the Guernsey goalkeeper, 2-1 Icarus. A few moments later Icarus made their second change of the night with Flt Lt Turrell replacing Somerville who had worked tirelessly as the lone striker. Some excellent touches from Turrell linked the wide runs of Wright and Sturgess to exploit the space vacated by the advancing Guernsey team.
The 3rd change of the evening occurred minutes later as Fg Off Evans replaced Flt Lt Wright. Within moments of this change Flt Lt Turrell suffered a dead leg after colliding with a Guernsey defender. Unable to continue, saw the reintroduction of Somerville with an immediate impact. A ball from right back Turner released Fg Off Sturgess, who’s tricky ensured he beat two men before his perfectly weighted pass allowed Flt Lt Toogood to cross the ball first time onto the head of Somerville to make it 3-1. Guernsey responded positively once again and looked to fight their way back into the game. Once Sqn Ldr Bowden stood tall making a string of world class saves to deny the opposition. The final moments of the match saw the reintroduction of Flt Lt Wright as Flt Lt Toogood ran himself to exhaustion, epitomising the passion and determination that the entire squad had invested in the match.
As the final whistle blew, Icarus celebrated a memorable win against extremely tough opposition. The local crowd applauded both sets of players as it was clearly evident to all the effort levels on display. The evening’s proceedings finished with the Guernsey FA being the perfect hosts in the clubhouse, as Icarus responded by treating all to a rousing rendition of the classic song, Angels. This fixture concluded an excellent training camp for the club and hopefully the start of a strong relationship with the Guernsey FA.
The Guernsey FA XI started the game and stroked the ball round the park with consummate ease. It was immediately evident, the difficulty of the task ahead of the Icarus boys. At times during the opening exchanges it appeared that Guernsey were in a class of their own as they tore through the new look Icarus back line. It was thanks to a string of excellent saves from goalkeeper Sqn Ldr Bowden that the scores remained 0-0. However after 15 minutes a perfectly executed pass from deep released the Guernsey centre forward who clinically lifted the ball over the head of Bowden, 1-0.
Not to be disheartened Icarus responded immediately looking to probe the Guernsey defence in wide areas. A threaded ball through from Flt Lt Hickinbotham released Flt Lt Steele, who pulled up with a thigh strain. After a promising personal start Steele was clearly disappointed at the reoccurrence of an injury sustained a couple of days previous, and he was replaced by Fg Off Sturgess. Icarus started to settle into the game and develop a rhythm to their passing as Flt Lt’s Williams and Hickinbotham began to stamp their authority in the centre of midfield. This still couldn’t deny an excellent Guernsey team creating another goal scoring opportunity, to once again be denied by the outstanding Bowden, as he clawed a shot away that was destined for the ‘top bin’! As the half developed both sides went toe-to-toe, with several fair but fierce challenges being made. It was clear that both sets of players were demonstrating immense pride in representing their respective teams.
As the half drew to a close some intricate play from Flt Lt Wright and Fg Off Fleming won Icarus their first corner of the match. The delivery from Flt Lt Hickinbotham was executed to perfection and was met by Flt Lt Tyers as he rose in front of the Guernsey goalkeeper to make the score 1-1. The scores remained level until the half time whistle. A few tactical tweaks and words of encouragement came from the Icarus coaching staff during the break. This immediately paid dividends as the Icarus front line began to tear into the Guernsey defence. Breakaway attacks from Flt Lt Toogood and Fg Off (Rtd) Somerville created confusion in the Guernsey defence, only for last ditch defending to deny Icarus the lead. At the other end of the field the Icarus back four had grown in confidence with the centre back pairing of Flt Lt’s Tyers and Bateman restricting Guernsey to long range shots.
It was the hour mark that saw Icarus make their 2nd breakthrough of the night. Some excellent harassing of the Guernsey midfield by Flt Lt Williams resulted in him winning the ball in the middle third of the field, before a swift pass released Flt Lt Toogood. Toogood’s one-two exchange with Somerville put him in the clear and his sublime lofted finish beat the Guernsey goalkeeper, 2-1 Icarus. A few moments later Icarus made their second change of the night with Flt Lt Turrell replacing Somerville who had worked tirelessly as the lone striker. Some excellent touches from Turrell linked the wide runs of Wright and Sturgess to exploit the space vacated by the advancing Guernsey team.
The 3rd change of the evening occurred minutes later as Fg Off Evans replaced Flt Lt Wright. Within moments of this change Flt Lt Turrell suffered a dead leg after colliding with a Guernsey defender. Unable to continue, saw the reintroduction of Somerville with an immediate impact. A ball from right back Turner released Fg Off Sturgess, who’s tricky ensured he beat two men before his perfectly weighted pass allowed Flt Lt Toogood to cross the ball first time onto the head of Somerville to make it 3-1. Guernsey responded positively once again and looked to fight their way back into the game. Once Sqn Ldr Bowden stood tall making a string of world class saves to deny the opposition. The final moments of the match saw the reintroduction of Flt Lt Wright as Flt Lt Toogood ran himself to exhaustion, epitomising the passion and determination that the entire squad had invested in the match.
As the final whistle blew, Icarus celebrated a memorable win against extremely tough opposition. The local crowd applauded both sets of players as it was clearly evident to all the effort levels on display. The evening’s proceedings finished with the Guernsey FA being the perfect hosts in the clubhouse, as Icarus responded by treating all to a rousing rendition of the classic song, Angels. This fixture concluded an excellent training camp for the club and hopefully the start of a strong relationship with the Guernsey FA.
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