Icarus Senior Squad v Army Crusaders

A strong Icarus squad travelled from far and wide to Aldershot for their annual Inter-Service match against the Army Crusaders.  A quick rain shower just before kick-off set the perfect conditions for Icarus to play its fast aggressive possessed based brand of football that has seen so much success in recent seasons. Quick out of the blocks, Icarus harassed and pressed their opponents winning the ball high up the pitch.  Direct play from either flank caused the Crusaders full backs to retreat allowing space for Toogood to power through from deep.  His powerful run dragged the entire defence towards him before releasing Somerville who calmly finished giving Icarus the lead.  Moments later Toogood was causing havoc again, linking up well with Steele before his square pass gave Somerville an open goal to double the Icarus lead and his own tally for the night. The shots continued to rain down on the Army goal from all angles.  It was a thunderbolt from Wright that made it 3-0, Toogood again the provider.  Three up and cruising, Icarus began stroking the ball around the pitch as well as they ever have done.  The front four continued to terrorise the Army defensive and cutting pass from Hickinbotham released Steele who added a 4th.  As half time approached the Icarus minds began to wonder and a defensive error allowed the Crusaders centre forward in on goal, only to see his shot hit the post.  This was a reminded that there was still a threat from the opposition as the half time whistle blew.
Icarus began the 2nd half in a similar vein as the first, flooding players forward to create several early opportunities, only this time their finishing letting them down.  A couple of chances in defence as Fleming and Bateman made way for Wain and Davies did not halt the advance. Williams driving forward from midfield drew several fouls in dangerous areas but once again the finishing from the set pieces lacked in finesse. Icarus did manage to get the ball into the goal for fifth time but a foul on the goalkeeper resulted in Williams’ effort being ruled out. A fifth did arrive deep into the 2nd half after a barrage of corner kicks, the quality of the Hickinbotham delivery was finally matched by Wilson’s head to put Icarus 5-0 up. As the final whistle blew Icarus were jubilant in not only the result but more so in their performance. After the match manager Scott Hyndman described the performance as “complete” as Icarus dismantled the opposition.