Icarus Vets Squad v Army Crusaders Vets

The AGC tournament consists of a three way competition between the AGC Vets, Army Crusaders Vets and Icarus Masters/Vets consisting of three sixty minute games i.e. 30 minute halves.  The first game participants are decided by drawing lots and the loser of that first game stays on for the second game so in theory the last game is played between two sides that still have a chance of winning the tournament.  Generally this competition has featured older vets teams making for an enjoyable but competitive tournament. 
 
First out of the hat were Icarus and the Army Crusaders and it was immediately obvious the Army were fielding a younger and fitter squad than normal.  The first half featured Icarus trying to build patiently from the back; in stark contrast to the Army pumping long balls over the defence.  Nevertheless, on this occasion the long ball certainly gave the Army a number of good chances by overrunning the older Icarus defenders.  There was some controversy when Icarus captain Paul Merritt made a last ditch tackle on the Crusaders striker who was clean through.  Although a full stretch committed challenge he came away with the ball and there were only muted claims for a penalty from the opposition, but as one observer mentioned, "I've seen them given"!  As the first half progressed the Icarus midfield, especially Tony... tackling everywhere and Russ Blaze comfortable on the ball, came more in to the game, reducing the opportunities for the Crusaders to throw the ball forward.   Icarus were eventually able to create some half chances of their own through Rev Kev Capelin-Jones and Ian Hamlyn but the first period ended nil-nil.
 
Half-time Crusaders 0 - Icarus 0
 
The second half started with both teams exchanging opportunities but eventually a spell of pressure from the Crusaders sprung a forward in the inside right position who was able to slip the ball past the advancing Vinnie Jackson into the goal.  One-nil to the Crusaders.  Immediately after the goal was the best spell for Icarus showing great determination to get back into the game.  Steve Hollick from Cosford, who had come on for the second half at right back, was one of the younger vets and his relative youth and fitness allowed him to cover much more of the field.  It was during this pressure that a shot from Barry Laws was parried by the Crusaders goalkeeper and found Steve just 6 yards out in the centre of the goal area who finished clinically.  Despite late opportunities both ways the final score was:
 
Full-time Crusaders 1 - Icarus 1
 
Man of the match for the game was Tony Spurle