Icarus vs Benson Lions - Match Report by Rich Lowe

September was a great month for Icarus Masters. Our adventure into the Hellenic League & Cup competition has re-invigorated the squad and this renewed enthusiasm has been evident in the large, strong squads available to the managers. This week however felt a little more like Icarus of old during the days and hours building up to the game. Players becoming unavailable, then available, then a maybe….. the management team would work hard to get a strong 11 onto the pitch!

The 11 players who battled the A34 traffic to get to Milton FC were rewarded with what is undoubtedly the best playing surface we’ll see this season. A stunning pitch, under lights with perfect weather. The scene was set for Icarus to get the ball down and play.

The team talk (to the 10 players who’d arrived) would focus on establishing a foundation on which to build, earning the right to play and being competitive. From the first whistle the lads did exactly as briefed, got the ball down, passed, moved and supported each other. Icarus were enjoying themselves.

Pete Rickards in goal was fairly redundant for long periods, his gloves barely required. But when called upon with his feet, his comfort on the ball instilled confidence in everyone around him and he was employed mainly as a sweeper. Adie Porter and Tom Williams had ½ a pitch to themselves for the most part and their clever passing from the back gave us a foundation on which to build, the midfield enjoying the space this provided. Rich Lowe and Kev Farrell put in solid shifts as the 2 full backs, working with their respective wide midfielders Martin Berry and Arnie, both of whom were a continued threat to Benson.

The centre of midfield for Icarus was occupied by Scott Hyndman and Rod Babington. Their calmness on the ball as well as their tireless work rate left Benson midfield completely ineffective, Icarus were very much dominating. Jonathan Gwynn playing upfront, a fairly unfamiliar position for him, was putting in his best performance of the season with sensible movement and clinical passing. He was joined by Taff Evans who arrived 2 minutes before kick-off but immediately settled into the game.

Benson didn’t offer any great threat aside from the occasional set piece where they used their considerable height to their advantage, one corner in particular should have seen them score from a free header but Icarus had earned a slice of luck. At the other end of the pitch the Icarus pass and move was very pleasant on the eye and started producing chances. Scotty H blazed a shot over the bar, Taff went round the keeper but from tight angle saw his shot blocked. It was actually a mistake from Benson that led to the sole Icarus goal in the 20th minute. Benson’s part time keeper saw his weak clearance go to Scott H in the attacking third, his 30 yard dipping strike sailing back over the keeper. 1-0 Icarus!

The only negative of the first half was losing Gwynny to a muscular injury. Thankfully, centre circle dweller Howie Heap had now arrived at Milton and after Gwynny soldiered on for 10 mins, the substitution was made. This required a slight formation change, Howie joining Babbo and Scott in the middle of the park. Howie immediately settled, his calmness on the ball and clarity of thought in his distribution merely complimented an already stellar half of football. 1-0 Icarus and cruising at half time.

The second half was even better for the now completely dominant Icarus. Not only were we maintaining possession but we were creating more chances. Arnie down the left was getting in behind the defence at will and sending in numerous dangerous crosses. Similar down the right from

Bez, he’d see 2 fine shots bounce back of the woodwork. Taff was getting into threatening positions with clever runs and the 3 centre midfielders were having a field day. Scott and Babbo running their socks off to constantly regain possession, Howie putting on a passing master class. The back 4 maintained discipline and didn’t let Benson within 30 yards of Pete’s goal. This was a real team effort.

Benson were getting desperate in defence, throwing themselves in front of anything goal bound which to their credit, was effective. With the clock ticking down Icarus wisely managed the game through possession and territory, Benson were simply waiting for the final whistle to put them out of their misery.

There were standout performances all of the pitch. Howie didn’t put a foot wrong, the back four were solid, Arnie ran about 800kms according to his GPS!!! But it was between Scott and Babbo for the MotM, Babbo getting the nod simply because he was within earshot of the discussion as to who got the award!

1-0 Icarus! It could and should have been 6, but it was a very comfortable performance. There will be much sterner tests in the weeks to come and as a squad we cannot rest on our laurels. We will take this fine result and the manner in which it was achieved and we will move forward.

The key take away from this fixture though was the squad availability. We all know and appreciate that we all have work, family, other social events that make us unavailable and this isn’t a problem. But I implore you all to help out your management team, who are putting a proper shift throughout the week, by updating Pitchero asap. We have fixtures published for every Wednesday between now and end of November. If we know early enough that we can’t produce a squad e.g. during half term week, we can cancel a fixture, but we can’t do it at the last minute so please, please get your availability posted on the app.

Next round of the cup awaits, C’mon Icarus!

Final Note: Massive congratulations to Rich Lowe and Rod Babington on picking up their 100 cap ties!