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Sun 20 Jan 2019
Hazlemere Vets
1
3
Icarus FC
Icarus Masters/Vets Squad
D Reeves (0'), S Hollick (0'), J Hetherington (0')
Icarus Vets Squad v Hazlemere Vets

Icarus Vets Squad v Hazlemere Vets

Icarus FC30 Jan 2019 - 16:49
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Match report

Ahead of a crucial Bedfordshire Cup game the following week, Icarus Vets looked to shake off the excesses of the Festive Season with a match against Hazelmere Vets FC.  A late switch in venue to an improved playing surface at the Wycombe Rye and the usual rigorous pre-match preparation from manager Si Hays, left Icarus in no doubt that this was a match that was there to be won, if the team adhered to the mantra of retaining possession and working the keeper when opportunities were created. 
Lacking a regular keeper themselves, Steve Hollick volunteered to don the tangerine jersey for the first quarter of the game.  The match kicked off in cold but sunny conditions and after a few minutes it became evident that, for once, Icarus had youth on their side. Despite some early mis-placed passes and the at times slippery conditions, Icarus grew in confidence.  A quick change of boots saw Eddie Roughsedge begin to find his passing range and with Hollick putting in a sterling stint in the sweeper-keeper role, it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came.  And so it proved, when after 23 minutes right back Kev Capelin-Jones dished up a heavenly through ball and John Hetherington displayed he is every bit as fit as he was before Christmas by racing onto the pass to calmly finish past the on-rushing Hazelmere keeper. 
 
Shortly after the goal Hays rang the changes with Hollick moving up front and James Hodgson taking over between the sticks.  Chris Jones also entered the fray to partner Kev Knott who was having a dominant game in the centre of the park.  The traffic was now all one-way with a second Icarus goal chalked off for offside, Jones hitting the inside of the post from range and Hetherington almost doubling his tally with a half chance from a cross into the box.  When the second goal did come it was courtesy of left back Dom Reeves - as the ball sailed into the back of the net from a position tight to the touchline, only he will know if it was a shot or a cross; in any case it was just reward as he was having a fine game marauding forward at every opportunity.  A minute before half time a foul in the box drew the referee’s whistle and up stepped the calm figure of Rod Babbington to the take the spot kick.  Emulating Harry Kane he fired the ball high towards the top right-hand corner, only to be denied by a flying double-handed save from the evergreen Hazelmere stopper.  As the half closed Icarus led 2-nil, but it could and should have been more. 
 
The Manager rang further changes at half time with Teo Bradley taking over as keeper for the 2nd half with Hodgson and Laws moving into the back four.  Icarus carried on in the same vein; with quick, sharp and forward-looking passing that saw the team create and miss several well worked chances.  Whilst the team’s movement and link-up play could not be faulted, in front of goal a combination of a lack of composure and some last ditch defending prevented Icarus from putting the score line out of reach.   As the hour mark approached, Icarus appeared to take the foot off the gas, and several misplaced passes allowed the Hazelmere side to have their first real forays in attack.  One such surrender of possession by Icarus led to a Hazelmere shot from distance, that Bradley did well to scoop around the post as he back-pedalled; from the resultant corner Icarus cleared back to the taker and as he returned the ball into box, 3 Hazelmere players stood unmarked in the centre of goal for an easy finish - the Icarus players were left looking at each bemused by the lack of marking.  Steadily though Icarus reaffirmed their stronghold with Dave Batey’s surging runs continuing to create chances.  Finally, following an incisive pass from Mark Gilligan, Hollick displayed the calmness in front of goal that the Manager had been crying out for as he slid the ball home from a tight angle.  The game ended 3-1, but the margin of victory didn’t reflect the dominance Icarus had throughout almost the entire ninety minutes.  Dom Reeves was a deserving choice as Player of the Match. 
 
In his post-match summary, Vets Manager Si Hays was realistic about his team’s performance:  ‘Whilst we had the lion share of possession, we did not use it as effectively as I would like at times and a lack of fitness was evident from a few members of the squad.  That said I’m pleased with the win, but we will need to step up the intensity of our performance off the ball and display better decision making and composure, and in particular heading the ball down (instead of over the bar for the 10th time) in the final third when we meet Cambridge Vets in our must-win cup game next week’.

Match details

Match date

Sun 20 Jan 2019

Kickoff

13:30

Meet time

12:30
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