Another Wet Saturday, Another Memorable Remembrance!
It was a victory for remembrance as much as Jets on another monsoon Saturday, a bad habit that for the second year running the big match was in danger of being ruined by the weather, and again we woke the day after to blue skies.
The show must go on was the fantastic response by many, and again a new ground record of 399 was recorded, an attendance record by just three but a record all the same.
Parts of the day were lost to the weather. Still, the pre-match respects went ahead, the kids were the real stars, immaculately dressed in their teams’ kits, despite the bad weather, and all in their poppies.
The RAF, as immaculate as ever, honouring their event in no1s with the medals a stark reminder to us that these brave lads are more than a football team, they risk their lives for our freedom more than the general public will ever know.
The superb match officials all giving their time free and what a performance and example referee Ryan Morris was, all the way from Northumberland to become the first official ever from the services to be given the match and what an excellent match he had.
The Jets, ready to honour the Remembrance, rose again to the occasion, both on and off the pitch.
Respects over, on to the match itself, which is no friendly its pride (just as Tom Lake, who Jets do this event to honour, whose PWRR regiment motto “fierce pride”, reflects how the game is played.
The first half was very much RAF Icarus on top, and it was no surprise when a bullet header gave them the much-deserved lead.
Jets stayed in the match, and that was probably the RAF’s mistake that they did not set Jets a harder comeback target while they had the upper hand.
Top scorer Reece Cameron levelled, and Jamie Speer pounced to edge Jets a little fortunately in front at the break.
Jets are a good side this season and upped their game second half, after quite a roasting from the manager. Two excellent goals from Andre Lopes and a penalty from Reece Cameron took Jets away from the visitors, and an individual goal from new signing Louis Bircham wrapped up the scoreline that flattered Jets overall on the 90mins. The RAF didn’t destroy their targets while they were flying. ?
Man of the match honours went to Scotty Bonner for the Jets and Fg Off Dylan Kay for Icarus.
The real winners were the Royal British Legion who will gain approx £2k thanks to everyone who braved the weather and donated.
Many thanks to our Friends, Partners, and opponents from Wing Commander John Hetherington, RAF Icarus we are proud of our association with these brave lads who are a respectable example to us all.
A selection of photos from the pre-match Remembrance observance and post-match presentations.
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