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Sat 07 Oct 2017
Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) Vets
Icarus Masters/Vets Squad
3
4
J Schofield (0'), M Blagojevic (0'), J Hetherington (0'), D Batey (0')
Icarus Vets Squad v Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) Vets
Icarus FC7 Oct 2017 - 14:00
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Match report
The fears of our beloved manager being absent were soon allayed when we looked around, saw that we were in nation’s capital representing Icarus and about to play on a pitch that resembled a bowling green. Those hitherto vacant looks across the room were soon replaced with steely determination when Gaulty delivered the team talk and relayed the Gaffer’s words from afar. Clearly vying for the top job, Gaulty even had the temerity to suggest that scoring in the first 10 minutes wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Icarus started the game with purpose, composure, precision and power, this pressure was duly rewarded when, after a passage of play on the left hand side, Dave Batey slotted onto a loose ball from 6 yards. From the restart Icarus continued to apply pressure with some excellent link up play between Gilly and John H, culminating in a gilt edged chance missed (Sorry John – Gilly made me put that in there). 1-0
One way traffic, an early goal and incisive football – too good to be true… and it was. Whilst we were collectively thinking about the Sunday morning back page headlines, HAC were busy getting back in to the game. Good on the ball and able to play in the right areas, the equaliser that followed came from confusion following a foul that the Ref chose to ignore - we were dutifully punished for not playing to the whistle. 1-1
As the game became more fractious, questions were raised as to the Referee’s credentials – I hasten to add, not from the players. Our own Dave ‘I’m a Level 5 Ref don’t you know’ Gault was at the fulcrum of the campaign to remedy these wrongs.
HAC’s time in the final third paid off (again); some loose marking at the back and their centre forward had poked one in before we knew it. From it looking like a rugby score after 5 minutes, we were staring down the barrel of a defeat against a side that did the simple stuff, but did it very well. 1-2
Down at half-time there were (justifiably) some stern words to be had (as well as a very informative throw-in demo). With these words ringing, Icarus started brightly and managed to make progress down both flanks with great industry from midfield and Dave Batey causing the opposition all sorts of problems on the left hand side.
The renewed vigour soon paid dividends, spotting the keeper 2 yards off his line, Blago realised this was his chance to take the initiative – the goal that followed redefined the term ‘cross-come shot’ and the 30 yard ‘effort’ that ensued had the perfect combination of back spin and loft to lure the goalkeeper into thinking it was headed for the Thames – it was not. To see the net bulge was (it’s fair to say) was somewhat unexpected and the post-goal celebration reflected this (particularly given that Blago was initially disgusted with the effort) – nonetheless, we were back in the game! 2-2
John H’s performance and perseverance was rewarded when he followed up this attacking wave with a well struck shot that found the back of the net after some excellent interplay in midfield, 3-2 to Icarus. The tide of the game was turning and the introduction of Stafford to midfield and Buttling gave a physical edge to the forward pairing. Fresh from the horror of conceding the last goal, further misery and humiliation was laden on the opposition’s keeper when a 50/50 with ‘the Buttling’ turned out to be more like a 99/1 in the latter’s favour. Not to be outdone, Stafford made his own (verbal) contribution which both galvanised and offended both teams in equal measure.
They lacked the pace, flair and fitness but HAC were an outstanding example of a side that did not know they were beaten. Sure enough they got their chance and the HAC striker who had been second best all day against the Icarus back line managed to turn his man and level the score– such is football. 3-3
Last 20 minutes and step forward Jim Schofield who, fresh from an altercation with the opposition’s centre forward, somehow managed to find himself in the opposition box after a surging run from the centre of defence. Making best use of his time in the opposition’s box, back turned to goal, he somehow managed to hold off the opposition player who, from afar, appeared to be performing some form of medical procedure. Thoughts of ‘the Badge’ no doubt gave him the inner strength to stay on his feet, turn his man and drill the ball into the bottom corner. 4-3
Icarus were now 4-3 in front and resolutely determined to see out the game. That we did with some good possession and wile from Messrs Hyndman, Hetherington and Stafford who were clearly enjoying the thought of Icarus days gone by and the relish of holding on to a winning position. That they did and Icarus FC Vets emerged victorious from a game that a team without the same character and belief would not have come back from. Final score 4-3 to Icarus FC Vets.
Icarus started the game with purpose, composure, precision and power, this pressure was duly rewarded when, after a passage of play on the left hand side, Dave Batey slotted onto a loose ball from 6 yards. From the restart Icarus continued to apply pressure with some excellent link up play between Gilly and John H, culminating in a gilt edged chance missed (Sorry John – Gilly made me put that in there). 1-0
One way traffic, an early goal and incisive football – too good to be true… and it was. Whilst we were collectively thinking about the Sunday morning back page headlines, HAC were busy getting back in to the game. Good on the ball and able to play in the right areas, the equaliser that followed came from confusion following a foul that the Ref chose to ignore - we were dutifully punished for not playing to the whistle. 1-1
As the game became more fractious, questions were raised as to the Referee’s credentials – I hasten to add, not from the players. Our own Dave ‘I’m a Level 5 Ref don’t you know’ Gault was at the fulcrum of the campaign to remedy these wrongs.
HAC’s time in the final third paid off (again); some loose marking at the back and their centre forward had poked one in before we knew it. From it looking like a rugby score after 5 minutes, we were staring down the barrel of a defeat against a side that did the simple stuff, but did it very well. 1-2
Down at half-time there were (justifiably) some stern words to be had (as well as a very informative throw-in demo). With these words ringing, Icarus started brightly and managed to make progress down both flanks with great industry from midfield and Dave Batey causing the opposition all sorts of problems on the left hand side.
The renewed vigour soon paid dividends, spotting the keeper 2 yards off his line, Blago realised this was his chance to take the initiative – the goal that followed redefined the term ‘cross-come shot’ and the 30 yard ‘effort’ that ensued had the perfect combination of back spin and loft to lure the goalkeeper into thinking it was headed for the Thames – it was not. To see the net bulge was (it’s fair to say) was somewhat unexpected and the post-goal celebration reflected this (particularly given that Blago was initially disgusted with the effort) – nonetheless, we were back in the game! 2-2
John H’s performance and perseverance was rewarded when he followed up this attacking wave with a well struck shot that found the back of the net after some excellent interplay in midfield, 3-2 to Icarus. The tide of the game was turning and the introduction of Stafford to midfield and Buttling gave a physical edge to the forward pairing. Fresh from the horror of conceding the last goal, further misery and humiliation was laden on the opposition’s keeper when a 50/50 with ‘the Buttling’ turned out to be more like a 99/1 in the latter’s favour. Not to be outdone, Stafford made his own (verbal) contribution which both galvanised and offended both teams in equal measure.
They lacked the pace, flair and fitness but HAC were an outstanding example of a side that did not know they were beaten. Sure enough they got their chance and the HAC striker who had been second best all day against the Icarus back line managed to turn his man and level the score– such is football. 3-3
Last 20 minutes and step forward Jim Schofield who, fresh from an altercation with the opposition’s centre forward, somehow managed to find himself in the opposition box after a surging run from the centre of defence. Making best use of his time in the opposition’s box, back turned to goal, he somehow managed to hold off the opposition player who, from afar, appeared to be performing some form of medical procedure. Thoughts of ‘the Badge’ no doubt gave him the inner strength to stay on his feet, turn his man and drill the ball into the bottom corner. 4-3
Icarus were now 4-3 in front and resolutely determined to see out the game. That we did with some good possession and wile from Messrs Hyndman, Hetherington and Stafford who were clearly enjoying the thought of Icarus days gone by and the relish of holding on to a winning position. That they did and Icarus FC Vets emerged victorious from a game that a team without the same character and belief would not have come back from. Final score 4-3 to Icarus FC Vets.
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