INTER-REGION FINAL 

RAF Uxbridge on Wednesday 7 Nov 07

Report by Vince Williams

Central Region 1 West Region 2

This was a cracking final with good, open and attacking football which shows the continuation of strength within RAF football.

From that start there were plenty of chances at both ends, with both teams creating space in the middle of the park and looking determined for an important early break through.

With 15 minutes on the clock Central’s Cpl Cartwright had half a chance, which he did well with, which forced a save from West goalkeeper Cpl Whitlam (who can also play up front!). Just two minutes later and Cpl Whitlam was again called into action and saved well. It was quite clear that with the RAF Mens Representative Team Manager, FS Keith Christie in attendance with his entire back room staff, that the players were doing what they could to catch the eye, whilst also contributing to good, crisp passing team play.

On 20 minutes the West’s SAC Phillips was played through but AC Raby, the Central goalkeeper, came out well and thwarted the opportunity. Soon after and Central’s SAC Richardson delivered a great pass to Cpl Cartwright who with time and space made a hash of his shot from eight yards.

With the flowing open football it was a surprise that it took until the 38th minute for the first goal of the game to arrive. A West corner from the left was put across to the far post where a scramble ensued, SAC Phillips stabbed the ball goalward and there was the experienced FL Hetherington to get the last touch to put his side one goal to the good.

During the first half there were a number of players catching the eye, in particular for the Central team, SAC Richardson up and down the right flank, Cpl Cartwright up front and Cpl Stewart in midfield. For the West Cpl Aldred was a constant threat.

Whilst there was very little difference between the two sides during the first half in terms of possession it was the West who forced regular corners and SAC Phillips could have doubled their lead four minutes before half time but once again AC Raby in the Central goal proved his worth.

In first half injury time the Central Region very nearly drew level when Cpl Cartwright fired in a snap shot that was held at the second attempt. The half time whistle allowing for a well earned breather with West leading one goal to nil.

Into the second half and Central came out all guns blazing and only quick brave goalkeeping preserved the West’s narrow lead. Central continued to play good passing football and when Cpl Cartwright made another penetrating run in the 52nd minute he was brought down on the edge of the box and West’s SAC Hall went in to the referee’s book. The resulting free kick was blocked and after the initial fifteen minutes of pressure the West once again started to put together some attacks of their own. In the 79th minute a 25 yard curling free kick by the West’s SAC King went over following a foul on FL Hetherington.

With just five minutes of the game remaining the Central Region deservedly equalised, Cpl Cartwright was brought down inside the penalty area, up stepped Cpl Stewart who capped a good all round performance by dispatching the spot kick to make it 1-1. There was still time for West to go close at the other end from two corners within normal time but the referees whistle signalled extra time. In just the fourth minute of extra time the West forced a corner, this was taken by the energetic Cpl Sammut, the ball was flicked on at the front post and clinically side footed home at close range by JT MacDougal to put the West 2-1 up. Just before the end of the first half of extra time Cpl Whitlam, the West goalkeeper, was again brave to save from Cpl Cartwright who had raced clean through.

Into the final period and the endeavour and entertainment continued with decent action at both ends, the closest that the Central Region came to taking the game to penalties was when sustained pressure resulted in a goalmouth scramble and the ball was cleared off the line, this was followed by a decent chance that fell to Cpl Irving but his header was comfortably collected. The West held on to win this Inter-Region final and with it claim the White Cup which had originally been presented to the RAF FA by Group Captain A White MBE (RAF FA Chairman 1971-74) and which had previously been played for as the Inter-League Challenge Cup, the last time being in 1999-200 when it was won by the Lincolnshire Services Football League.

It is now envisaged that this Inter-Region competition and trophy will be played for on an annual basis.

The RAF Mens Representative Team Manager, FS Keith Christie certainly enjoyed the game and said afterwards, “As a game it was played in the right spirit, both teams were positive in going out to try and win the game and both goalkeepers were asked to make saves. As a competition, the right players were involved as none were included in the Senior Rep Team last season. The level was such that I am delighted to confirm that six or seven players from this game will be selected and called up to the Senior Rep Team for our three friendly fixtures which form part of the opening six fixtures for the 2007/08 season. This will freshen up the senior squad and keep players on their toes”.

The RAF FA’s Director of Football Delivery, Wg Cdr Simon Harper, commented, “Despite a number of issues, the very fact that we completed the competition with a properly contested and even game is testament to the hard work of the Regional Directors, their managers and coaches, officials (who travelled from Scotland!) and the players themselves. There are a number of lessons that we have identified and there are areas where we can improve next year. The critical point being that there must be a 'next year' and, in time, we aim to cement the Inter-Region competition as a regular feature of the RAFFA footballing calendar”.

View Gallery - Inter-Region Cup Final 2007

Referee: Sgt Alan Frew (RAF Lossiemouth)

Assistants: Sgt Brian McGaw (RAF Lossiemouth) - Sgt Paddy Armstrong (RAF Leuchars)

Teams

Central (Manager Sgt Tim Shield– DCAE Cosford)

1. AC Raby (DCAE Cosford)
2. SAC Sayer (RAF Scampton)
3. Cpl Hurst (DCAE Cosford)
4. SAC Short (DCAE Cosford)
5. Cpl Waldie (RAF Cranwell)
6. Cpl Poulton (DCAE Cosford)
7. SAC Richardson (RAF Scampton)
8. Cpl Stewart (RAF Shawbury)
9. Cpl Irving (DCAE Cosford)
10. SAC Tanton (Chivenor)
11. Cpl Cartwright (RAF Cranwell)

West (Manager Cpl Andy Kuchta – RAF Brize Norton) )

1. Cpl Whitlam (RAF Brize Norton)
2. SAC Hall (St. Mawgan)
3. SAC King (RAF Innsworth)
4. JT MacDougal (RAF St. Athan)
5. SAC Wyatt (RAF Brize Norton)
6. Cpl Pettey (RAF Halton)
7. SAC Langton (RAF Odiham)
8. Cpl Sammut (RAF Brize Norton)
9. SAC Phillips (RAF Brize Norton)
10. Flt Lt Hetherington (RAF High Wycombe)
11. Cpl Aldred (RAF Halton)
12. SAC Anslie (Chivenor)
14. Cpl Allen (RAF Brize Norton)