Icarus Vets Squad v AGC Vets

Icarus decided to stay as they were and continued to dominate possession and play some lovely football, this time down the right with Mark Gilligan heavily involved in some neat play.  Early in the game, John Hetherington popped up in the box and shot early to the keepers left.  The keeper made a decent save but the ball fell to Jim Schofield who slotted it home.  He wheeled away in celebration only to be met by the linesman’s raised flag.  A dubious decision and one that Jim Schofield definitely didn’t agree with.  Without shouting or swearing, he still found himself in the referee’s book who was not happy to be questioned.
 
Icarus continued to work hard but were unable to break the deadlock in the first half.  Furthermore, enforced changes saw James Hodgon taken off after injuring his ankle and being replaced by the ever-reliable Rob Swinney, and Ian Hamlyn coming back on for Gareth Jones who couldn’t continue after that early knock.  Early in the second half tiredness began to take its toll and the AGC began to assert some authority on the game. They created a number of good chances and saw some shots going close as well as testing the woodwork.  Dave Gault had an excellent game though and was in the right place at the right time on a number of occasions before pulling off an outstanding save.  A sternly struck shot from the right was expertly tipped over the bar keeping the game in the balance.
 
As the AGC were pushing forward for the win this created more space for a counter attack and Icarus exploited that option regularly in the last 30 minutes.  That was only possible however due to the excellent defending of man-of-the-match, Taff Evans, who continued to win the ball back or safely play the ball out to quell any attack.  On the counter, balls were being played over the top for Jim Schofield to chase and he latched on to one played down the left from Shane Rutherford, kept the ball in and as the defenders were rushing back to cover the goal, he played the ball towards the edge of the box for Steve Hollick to drive the ball home via a couple of deflections.  Relief and elation from the Icarus players who deserved the breakthrough.  Icarus, knowing that goal difference may be a factor, continued to drive forward and utilise the space behind.  A couple more times, Jim Schofield received the ball in a similar position to the goal and played the ball back to Shane Rutherford who couldn’t find the back of the net.  The keeper made an excellent save on one of them, diving to his right and palming the ball wide of the goal.
 
It was looking like ending at 1-0 when a looping ball was played in towards Jim Schofield who tried to turn his defender only to be locked in place by the defenders’ arms wrapped around him.  It looked a certain penalty but yet again, nothing was given.  Even more frustratingly, the referee admitted after the game that it was a penalty but didn’t give it as he thought Jim Schofield was still going to get to the ball.
 
The game finished 1-0 and Icarus had done all they could sitting temporarily top of the tournament on 4 points.  It was time for the Crusaders to see what they could do against the AGC and with the AGC having just played, the Icarus players were adamant that they would comfortably run out the winners.  So adamant in fact that a few of the players went to get a shower and change before watching the last game of the day.
 
The Crusaders dominated possession despite the AGC having a threat up front on the break.  An early goal was what Icarus feared and it came from the Crusaders who looked like they would drive on from there.  However, the AGC dug in and held the Crusaders to 1-0 meaning Icarus and the Crusaders were both sitting on 4 points and identical goal differences.  Penalties!
 
3 penalties each before sudden-death and Icarus had to send John Hetherington back into the changing room to get back into his kit.  Losing the toss again, Icarus were up second and were chasing with the Crusaders slotting the ball under Dave Gault for their first penalty.  John Hetherington up first confidently struck the ball into the left side netting, goal keeper no chance, and back to 1-1.  The Crusaders easily slotted the ball in to the right-hand corner to add more pressure on Icarus before Jim Schofield followed on, side-footing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner and away from the keeper.  The Crusaders’ last penalty taker stepped up with a long run up and some of the Icarus players on the half way line whispered to each other, he’s going to smash it with that length of run up.  Sure enough, he did but fortunately for Icarus the ball glanced off the top of the cross bar and sailed over.  Shane Rutherford went forward with the chance to win it for Icarus and never looked like missing.  He drove the ball home to the keeper’s left and Icarus were the tournament winners, obtaining the first silverware for the Masters. 
 
Captain Jim Schofield received the shield in the clubhouse and will ensure that it is placed in the cabinet within the Rob Swinney Lounge for all to see during our forthcoming home fixtures.  A very tough and long day out in the heat but an excellent one which every player in the depleted squad should be proud of.