RAF Football Association
Veterans Match Report
BT’s BOYS OVER ENGAGE ADMIRABLY AT LIVERPOOL FC
RAF Vets 5 – Liverpool FC 1
16 Nov 14
When did this game really start? The planning had gone on for months, with a big thanks to
Matt Beattie. He informed all RAF Veterans, via our social media page on Facebook, email and
the infamous Dii system, on the 22 September 2014, giving people almost 3 months planning
time to pull this game off.
With lots of banter leading up to the event, some could turn out, others couldn’t, with many
apologies. On Saturday 15 November, the day before the game, we thought we had a team as
12 names were penned to paper, only to realise Scott Taylor’s name was down twice. With 2
goalkeepers, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 2 social members’ things were looking ominous.
So the best thing to do was to enjoy Liverpool, the City of Culture 2008 and hope and pray that
the meet in the Marriot at 1100hrs on the day of the game would be more fruitful.
After a salubrious Saturday night of culture and fine dining, the 1100hour moment of truth
arrived, why were there concerns nobody knows because the management now had 24 players
to choose from, but alas only 1 social member, the other never to return.
Tactics were kept to a minimum, to allow time for refreshments before the game, consisting of
Lucozade, tea or copious amounts of water, after all it was a warm and pleasant sunny autumn
day in Liverpool and the liquid intake would prove to be essential.
The starting 11 took to the pitch looking very proud to be wearing the RAF shirts yet again and
the opposition team in the ever distinctive red of Liverpool FC, certainly looked the part.
It was decided because of the number of players that
everybody would play at least half a game, with
some playing less and not through choice.
The game with an original 1400 kick off was brought
forward because of a change in venue and no flood
lights at the new venue, a cagey but hard fought start
from both teams saw limited chances in the first 10
minutes, however with the constant pressure placed
on the Liverpool defence, saw Russ Edwards steal
RAF FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MATCH REPORT – Vets vs LFC
the ball from the defender to then round the keeper and put the RAF up a goal to nil.
This settled the nerves of a number of RAF players, with some good passing football from both
teams, which was good to watch from the sidelines. Chances although few saw both goal
keepers put under pressure but good skills from the RAF goalkeeper Phil Harris assured the
inevitable first half clean sheet but more importantly a
further piece of proficient goal scoring ability saw
Russ Edwards put the RAF 2 goals to nil up at half
time. After seeing the RAF midfield work tirelessly
with Geordie Salkeld, Matt Beattie and Colin Walsh
working hard for little bard reward the wide outlets of
Tony Macek and Rudi Rierre started to support the
ever younger forward thinking Russ Edwards. The
defence was never to be broken as the calm Daz
Maclean kept a tight leash on the reborn again Scott
Taylor and the ever present Lenny Brayshaw at left
back and John Irvine at Right back.
There were a number of changes made throughout the first half particularly in midfield, however
a very resolute defence of John Irvine right back, Lenny Brayshaw left back, Darren Mclean
and Scotty Taylor centre backs, gave the platform for the guys in front of them to push forward
and be 2 up at half time.
The second half restarted and the
RAF Vets couldn’t have asked for a
better start, a poor defensive
clearance saw the ball land at John
Letch’s right foot some 35 to 40 yards
out of goal, and with the goal keeper
off his line, John hit the ball first time
and it floated over the defender’s head
and the keepers outstretched hands
into the top of the net. What a goal!!!!,
Midfield now had rolled on and off and Stevie Pugh, Karl Milgate, Mick Clarke started to impact
on the game.
The RAF continued to put pressure on a rather deflated Liverpool team and even though the
rolling substitutions by the RAF, at times hindered their play, they had too much strength in
depth and a further two goals followed, the first was an outstanding drive from the edge of the
box by Steve Pugh and a similar strike from a similar position from Karl Millgate, the RAF
Veterans now leading 5 goals to nil.
The substitutions continued, which caused a little
confusion in the RAF defence, which allowed the
Liverpool team to pull a goal back but it just proved to be
a consolation goal. Special mention must go to FS Steve
Pugh for superb organisation and consolidation of the
administration. Much and many bridges were built
through Team Managers contact in Steve Hollis LFC
Head of Academy for the future relationship between
LFC and the RAF.
RAF FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MATCH REPORT – Vets vs LFC
Players had travelled from far and wide, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, from Europe and from many
places throughout the UK, North and south of the border, all in all it was a tremendous weekend
in Liverpool but most importantly an incredible victory for the RAF Veterans.
Player Team Manager FS Matt Beattie, commented
post match, “It has been a tremendous first get
together this season, on the Saturday and Sunday,
for all the players committing themselves to such a
prestigious event. It never ceases to amaze me the
commitment, passion, endeavour and pure
determination our guys show on a meet like this and
long may this continue as today was a fine result
where we all should be justifiably proud and I am
already looking forward to our next fixture up and
coming fixture at West Ham.’
The fixture future reinforced Liverpool FC support to the UK Armed Forces following them
becoming the first Premiership League club to show their support for the UK Armed Forces by
signing the Corporate Covenant in May 2014.
RAF FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MATCH REPORT – Vets vs LFC
The Victorious RAF Vets ‘Family’
RAFFA Vets Support staff Liaison Officer Reeves and Photographer Booker
RAF FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MATCH REPORT – Vets vs LFC
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