RAF U23 Inter-Services
Team Match Report
8 February 2017 – RAF Cosford
RAF U23 vs Army U23
1-0
Photo by Sqn Ldr Garf Parker
The first match of the U23 Inter-Services Football, saw the RAF U23 take on the current
holders, the Army U23 at RAF Cosford. On a very cold and damp afternoon, the teams
endeavoured to play as much football as possible, despite the conditions not being suited to
flowing football with the pitch a little cut up and soggy. The RAF opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation
for this prestigious fixture.
The Army started the brighter of the two sides with their tempo and movement causing
problems for the RAF defence. The RAF grew into the match, adjusting to the tempo set by the
Army to start to create their own chances. Both sides were fired up for the fixture, which saw a
number of crunching tackles and robust blocks. Although nothing that prompted the Referee to
Inter-Services U23 - Match Report – RAF U23 vs Army U23
reach for his pocket. The pace of the RAF attack, in particular SAC Hall and AC Crooks
showed they had the better of their opponents if the right ball could be found but the Army were
working well to close down the space. With a half of not many chances, it was on 24 mins that
saw the first decent opportunity with CFN Thomson hitting his effort well wide. A minute later
the RAF responded when SAC Robinson launched a strong shot goal wards. Unfortunately, it
was straight at the Army keeper
who gathered without fuss.
The Army were using their right
flank well to cause problems but
every time LCpl Humphries broke
free from one player, he was
closed down by one of the RAF
midfielders busting a gut to get
back and stamp out the danger.
The end of the half saw the RAF
on top. On 41 mins the Army
conceded a free kick on the right
edge of their box. SAC Basham
Photo by Sqn Ldr Garf Parker
floated in a good cross and Cpl
Atkinson met it firmly, watching his
header speed past the post with the Army keeper routed to the spot. So close. The Army
responded with a chance of their own with ATPC Roberts shooting well, only to see his effort
blocked by SAC Daley on the edge of the box. Half time 0-0
Within minutes of the restart, the Army earned a free kick on
the edge of the RAF box. A central position with options
available for the taker, Pte Brown hit a firm low drive to the
bottom left corner of the goal. RAF Keeper Cape was quickly
down to get a strong hand to the effort and push it around the
post for a corner. Within minutes the RAF were stretching
the Army backline with a quick break. AC Crooks raced
through into the box and tumbled under the challenge of the
Army defender. Penalty appeals were vocal but the Referee
was having none of it. The match continued to be end to end
but with more chances being created.
The Army worked another opening, LCpl Rawcliffe received a
short throw, laid it off to Gnr Barnes who delivered a low
cross to Roberts. He made space for a shot with a flick over
the defender and shot goal wards. Again, SAC Cape was
ready, diving to his right to turn the ball around the post for
the second time in quick succession. The Army nearly broke Photo by SAC Alexa Thompson
the deadlock from a corner, Pte Brown drifted into the 6 yard
box and headed towards goal, only to see his effort headed clear off the goal line by the RAF
defence. Good play in the centre saw SAC Hall create an opening with a cheeky back heel that
fooled the Army defence, springing SAC Basham free. Basham strike was true but the Army
GK was ready for it, gathering well. Crooks then stung the Army keepers hand with a fierce
effort. The Army nearly benefited from some miscommunication between SAC Daley and SAC
Cape, seeing the ball goes free into the RAF box, fortunately for the RAF the Army were unable
to capitalise on this loose play. LCpl May went on a surging run from ten yards in his own half
to just outside the RAF box, only to be met with a full-blooded block tackle by SAC Smith,
stopping him in his tracks.
Inter-Services U23 - Match Report – RAF U23 vs Army U23
On 74 minutes Basham nearly opened the scoring, Atkinson delivered another telling cross into
the box which was met by a Basham diving header but his effort went just wide. With players
starting to tire on both sides due to the heavy pitch, SAC Williams was introduced to the match
with SAC Freeman making way. This prompted a quick reorganisation with Williams leading the
line and Hall moving to the right wing. With the match entering the final stages, ATPR
Tewesbury connected with a knock down from an Army free kick but launched his effort high
and wide (very wide!). LCpl May, then turned well and managed to get his shot off, it looked on
target but was deflected wide for a corner as the RAF defence put their bodies on the line to
stem any danger.
On 86 minutes, the RAF finally broke the
deadlock. After the award of a free kick on the
left touchline, Cpl Atkinson delivered a peach of
a free kick into the box curling the ball to the far
post where sub SAC Andre Williams latched
onto the cross, greeting it with a controlled right
foot effort into the opposite corner of the goal,
leaving the Army keeper with no chance of
saving it. 1-0 to the RAF who on the balance of
play were probably deserving of the
breakthrough. The final minutes of the match
saw the solid RAF Defence stand firm and
taking the opportunity to get the ball as far away
from their goal as possible. The final seconds of
Photo by SAC Alexa Thompson
the match were spent deep in the Army’s half
with the RAF taking control and heading for the
corner to run down the clock. With time up, the Referee brought proceedings to a close and the
1-0 victory was secured. A fantastic and energy sapping performance by all, guided by the
excellent Management Team.
Photo by SAC Alexa Thompson
Inter-Services U23 - Match Report – RAF U23 vs Army U23
Photo by SAC Alexa Thompson
Photo by Sqn Ldr Garf Parker
Inter-Services U23 - Match Report – RAF U23 vs Army U23
The RAF U23’s next fixture will be against the RN on 22 Feb 17 at the Victory Stadium, HMS Temeraire,
Portsmouth Stadium, 1400 kick off.
Match report by Sqn Ldr Garf Parker
Photographs by SAC Alexa Thompson and Sqn Ldr Garf Parker
RAF Squad:
LAC Matthew Cape (Gk)
Cpl Jordan Kirk-Ellis (Captain)
SAC Daniel Robinson
SAC Elliot Smith
LAC Craig Daley
Cpl Michael Atkinson
SAC Levi Freeman
AC Darren Street
SAC Jackson Hall
SAC Jonathan Basham
AC Bradley Crooks
Subs
SAC Andre Williams
SAC Will Gape
SAC Ben Lawrence
Unused Subs
SAC Tom Callander (Gk)
SAC Scott Maxwell
SAC Harry Cross
SAC Sam Hollis
Unused Squad
Dylan Ness
Ross Glibbery
George Worthy
Ryan Bradshaw
Matt McVey
Jake Robinson
Liam Beckett
Scorers
SAC Williams – 85 mins
Inter-Services U23 - Match Report – RAF U23 vs Army U23
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