Match Report: Icarus Vets vs Bicester Town Vets

Two games, two wins, top of the table! ‘This veterans league business is a piece of cake John!’

There’s a reason why Icarus are flying in their new adventure into league football! It’s because for the second week in a row a very strong squad of 16 Icarus Masters assembled at Thame, a squad containing returning legend Gareth Evans, a rejuvenated Vinny Jackson in goal, and a certain Mark Bowden vying for the number 9 jersey!

Due to the torrential rain hampering some players journey to Thame, the management team of Rich Lowe an Arnie had a minor reshuffle and sent a strong team out into the soggy evening. Icarus quickly settled and started knocking the ball around on a slick 4g pitch, Si Wain in particular gaining a lot of joy down the left. With less than 10 mins on the clock a precise John Hetherington corner was powered home by Adie Porter, his 2nd in as many matches and Icarus were up and running. The referee attempted to stamp his authority on the game by sin binning a Bicester player for dissent after 15 minutes. Icarus taking advantage of having the extra player, Si Wain feeding Tom Somerville who, after dancing past 3 defenders, curled a 15 yard shot inside the far post, 2-0 and cruising.

Back to the referee… with the rain pouring harder and the dissent (no more than usual banter really) continuing, the referee’s teddys departed the cot in a cloud of swear words & petulant anger, he decided that wet Wednesday night football refereeing wasn’t worth it and he left the pitch after 32 minutes. This was just the opportunity the 2023/2024 Icarus FC Clubman of the Year hopeful was waiting for! Si Wain, torturer of right fullbacks, manager of victorious first teamers, and now for the 2nd week running, the emergency referee! This guy is a true Icarus hero!

3 minutes into Si’s tenure as match official he had to make his first crucial decision. Was the centre forwards pathetic fall after minimal contact with a somewhat surprised Vinny a penalty? In the interest of maintaining calm, the ‘Political Penalty’ was awarded and scored. 2-1 at half time!

Fresh legs introduced at ½ time and the focus for the 2nd half would be to remain calmer in possession and for the back 4 to be brave enough to hold a higher, and preferably straighter line!

Icarus played well in the second half. The back four was now being excellently managed by Man of the Match Tom Williams and ably supported by the equally impressive Porter. With this level of control at the back, it allowed the midfield of Taff Evans, Scotty H, Bez and Kev Farrell more time on the ball and this led to more opportunities. After great work from Somerville, Arnie’s powerful shot was excellently saved by Bicester keeper. Rich Lowe hit the crossbar, Sam Taylor shot wide, Adie Porter was denied 2 more goals by excellent goal keeping but eventually the pressure told. Lowe’s through ball to Taylor who skipped daintily passed the onrushing goalkeeper and scored into an empty net to make it 3-1.

Icarus being Icarus had no intention of making it easy for themselves though. Bicester, who had troubled us with their fast pass and move at times were keen to keep the game interesting and with 20 minutes to go they scored again guaranteeing a nervous end to the match, 3-2!

Up step Mark Bowden who received a long forward ball on his ample chest and slipped an expert pass through to the onrushing Somerville who finished with his usual accuracy, 4-2 with 10 mins to go.

Icarus finished the match in complete control, ‘game management’ was a phrase often heard and periods of possession were often lasting for minutes rather than seconds. The ultimate compliment coming from the opposition skipper who shouted to his strikers… ‘don’t bother pressing them lads, they know exactly what they’re doing!’ I’d love to tell you that this was down to all our pre-season training and expert team managers, but I’m proud to inform you it’s because we have an excellent squad of quality players who know how to play this wonderful game, and that is why we are sitting top of league!

The games come thick n fast, next up is Abingdon Town Vets on Weds 27th. Get on Pitchero and state your availability asap, let’s keep the strong start going.

Always Icarus!