Icarus Vets Squad v Army Crusaders Vets

Icarus Masters’ Captain Jim Schofield lost the toss to see what order the teams played in and therefore the Masters had to play first against the Crusaders. In a tight affair, both sides battled hard and created a few early chances.  John Hetherington breaking down the right and exploiting space in the channel skipped past the Crusaders left back and played a looping ball in to the middle that Jim Schofield got on to the end of but volleyed high and wide as it sliced off his foot. 
 
Barry Laws and Shane Rutherford worked hard in the middle throughout and played some neat football.  Outnumbered however due to the Crusaders formation, Icarus were forced to have Jim Schofield drop deep to cover their sitting midfielder.  This left John Hetherington isolated up front with the difficult job of trying to hold the ball up.  This was not working for Icarus and the Crusaders had way too much time in possession.  Pressing forward, they forced a corner and after an excellent delivery fired the ball home with a bullet header from close range.  It was disappointing that the goal scorer had broken free so easily and had not been tracked.
 
Soon after, Icarus broke again to try and get back on level terms.  The ball fell to Jim Schofield who skipped past one and as the ball was bouncing in the area he was taken out by a slide from the defender who was attempting to block the ball.  The referee gave nothing, much to Jim’s and the Team’s bemusement.   fact
 
The 30-minute half was soon up and the Captain, also standing in as Manager for the sick Si Hays, brought the team together out on the pitch for a much-needed reshuffle.  It was time to change formation to match the Crusaders and enable us to get a foothold in the game.  Mark Gilligan came on for Ian Hamlyn but came on as a right wing-back with Icarus moving to 3 at the back.  Steve Hollick stepped into central midfield to make a 3 and allow Jim Schofield to sit higher up the pitch and support John Hetherington.
 
Going out for the second half, Icarus were much brighter, knocking the ball around swiftly and accurately.  The triangles were working, and the Crusaders were being opened up much more regularly.  Gareth Jones was getting on the ball much higher up on the left, despite struggling with a knock he received in the first half.  There were a number of balls over the top that stretched their defence and the Crusaders looked to be struggling to retain possession.  Any break from them was being swept up quickly by the 3 at the back with Taff Evans in particular dominating and winning the ball back quickly.
 
A throw in on the left was quickly taken up to Jim Schofield who held the ball up before being fouled from behind.  A free kick for the Masters from about 35 yards.  John Hetherington placed the ball and the normal pushing and shoving in the penalty area commenced.  John’s free kick however deceived everyone, and the in-swinging ball flew straight over all those in the box, including the Crusaders’ keeper, and nestled in to the right-hand side of the goal.  It was no less than Icarus deserved and they then went in search of a winner.
 
Despite looking good going forward and playing much the better football, Icarus were unable to get themselves in front and the game finished 1-1.  The rules of the tournament then came in to play as Icarus had to stay on to face the AGC due to not having scored first.  So time for a stretch, some fluid to be taken on board and a further chat from the Captain and other key players before heading straight out to play another 60 mins.