Icarus Vets Squad v Members of the Welsh Assembly

With the 2017/18 season having drawn to a close the Icarus Masters still had one more fixture to play against the Welsh Assembly.  On an incredibly hot day, the team, led by the indefatigable Paul Merritt, in his last game for Icarus before he heads for an overseas tour, took to the field against, what appeared a younger and well drilled Welsh Assembly 11.  On such a scorching day possession would be key to controlling the fixture and the Icarus game-plan was to dictate the pace.
 
Early exchanges seemed to bear this approach out, with both teams testing each other in midfield thirds.  The Welsh Assembly side were looking to play an expansive game, with most of early possession passing through a skilful midfield.  Icarus looked to contain and play from the back, but early pressure told from the Welshmen when a freekick from some 20 yards was expertly curled around the wall into the bottom left hand corner.  Understandably, this took the wind out of the Icarus sails and the Welsh Assembly grew in confidence, pushing forward and maintaining pressure in the final third.  This dynamic approach paid dividends with 2 quick goals.  The first generating from some smart inter-play on the edge of the area before the Welsh No 10 smashed the ball into the top corner from just inside the box.  The third caught Icarus napping, with the back line pushing forward.  Despite the best efforts of Paul Merritt, some swift interplay saw the opposing No 9 unmarked some 10 yards out to lash the ball into the bottom corner once again.  Three quick goals had swept Icarus away, with Jones unable to get close to any of the 3 excellent finishes.  With a 3-0 mountain to climb, after only 15 mins, it appeared that Icarus might fold and a cricket score, on a day made for cricketing weather, may be on the cards.  But, as is so often the case, Icarus dug deep.  A few choice words and a little bit more care on the ball, saw Icarus develop an understanding with each and start to generate a little bit more attacking play and enterprise. 
 
With confidence building and the home side understandably sitting back, Icarus started to properly build from the back.  Excellent interplay in the centre of midfield with Ian ‘Taff’ Evans putting in a wonderful ‘Man-of-the Match’ performance in his home country, saw Hyndman break through after 30 mins for a one-on-one opportunity.  Only heroics from the goalkeeper and desperate defending saw his chance cleared off the line.  With Icarus now starting to equal and, in certain circumstances, outplay the Welsh midfield chances started to materialise.  With Roughsedge’s fantastic pace and incredible fitness engine, Icarus finished the half strongly, but were unable to convert any of their possession into goals.
 
Half-Time: Welsh Assembly  3 .v. Icarus  0
 
After a direct and forthright half-time Team talk, Icarus emerged with renewed vigour and energy.  The dominance of the last 20 mins of the first half continued, with Rutherford putting in a masterful performance, some would say his best display in an Icarus Masters shirt.  Icarus were now starting to find some real width, with Roughsedge again threatening and Aragones also putting in a strong ‘shift’.  This perseverance paid off when again, Hyndman found himself latching on to a through ball to face the keeper.  This time the opposition No 1 made a more convincing save, but took the man as well as the ball and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.  Rutherford calming stepped and drove the ball to the keeper’s right; despite guessing the right way, the Welsh keeper couldn’t handle the sheer power of the drive and Icarus were on the scoreboard with the score now 3-1.  With the arrears reduced to only 2 goals, Icarus found another gear and started to dominate once more.  With the heat starting to take its toll, both teams continued to rotate players and it was the superior size of the Welsh Assembly squad that led to their 4th goal.  Fresher legs allowed the Welsh midfield to slip the ball to their left winger who danced into the area; Jones advanced from the Icarus goal, but a double deflection saw the ball fall to the Welsh striker and he rolled the ball in from 8 yards despite the last gasp lunging effort of Swinney.  As it is with all things football, Icarus failed to capitalise on their early second half control and the Welsh Assembly’s 4th goal effectively sealed the result.  With their 3-goal advantage restored the Welshmen once more took the game to Icarus.  Solid defending across the backline prevented further scoring with both Merritt and Lowe putting in strong, committed performances.  The dominance late on of the Assembly 11 was nearly rewarded with a 5th goal, with a mazy run from midfield finishing with a curling 25-yard dipping shot that rebounded off the crossbar into the thankful arms of Jones.  However, the Assistant Referee flagged for a goal, asserting that the ball had bounced down across the line, much to the disbelief of the weary RAF men, and Jones in particular!  Without VAR it was hard to tell which way to turn, but the Welsh Assembly Manager in the nature of good friendship, told his players to play on and the referee agreed that no goal would be awarded.  From there the match petered out without much further incident, with the Icarus players pushing themselves to the boundaries of their Master’s fitness in the excruciating heat.  With the final whistle blown, the Welsh Assembly were deserved 4-1 winners, but there were some notable points.  Ian Evans’ brilliant Man-of-the-Match spectacle, Shane Rutherford’s masterful display, Eddie Roughsedge’s amazing fitness, Matt Aragones brilliant Masters debut, Scott Hyndman’s constant running, Richie Lowe’s steady and calming manner and most of all Paul Merritt’s steadfast, resolute and totally committed performance.  In his last fixture as Icarus Masters Captain, due to an overseas posting, Paul gave a superb account of himself and it is fitting that the last word of this report should be about him.  He sums up what it is to be an Icarus player: selfless, reliable, strong, resilient and hard working.  Despite the result, Icarus have had a superb season and that is in no small part to Paul’s involvement and Captaincy.  With the season now over, planning is starting in earnest for the 18-19 campaign, with the Masters aiming for even better results.