RAF vs RN – SOUTH & WEST COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

PLAYED AT RAF UXBRIDGE – 21 NOV 07 – 1400 HRS KICK OFF

Report by Flt Lt Martin Wyer

RAF 2 - RN 2

This first competitive fixture of the season for the Mens Senior team saw the RAF field a relatively young side, sprinkled with some experienced members, made up predominately of last years Inter-Services squad.

Whilst the game was played in bright, sunny weather with a slight breeze blowing straight down the pitch, the playing conditions themselves were far from ideal, with the ‘bobbly’ surface making slick passing very difficult to say the least! The RAF side, kicking off with their customary 3-5-2 formation, started much the brighter, forcing an early corner. A long throw by Cpl Barnes, the RAF captain, culminated in the first effort on goal, a sharp strike by Cpl Brabbs going just wide of the post. The first real RN attack, after 10 mins, ended with a free kick from just outside the penalty area, well held by the RAF keeper, SAC Wray. The first 20 mins were dominated by the RAF, with both the wing backs, Cpl Sammut and SAC Hanson, raiding forward at every opportunity forcing the RN onto the back foot. The playing surface however, was not proving conducive to accurate passing.

After 22 mins, another RAF attack saw a corner from the left hand side taken by Cpl Sammut. This in swinging kick was met with an unstoppable bullet header from Cpl Barnes from 6 yards out to put the RAF 1-0 up. This first goal seemed to give the RAF even more encouragement, with both wing backs continuing to raid at will. Just after the half hour, some good work by SAC Thomas saw him deliver the ball into the box towards SAC Lawrie, who controlled the ball well only to be tripped by the RN full back. The referee appeared to be unsighted, but his assistant helped him out and a penalty was duly awarded. Up stepped Cpl Shallicker, who struck the ball well past the keeper, who had guessed the right way but was unable to stop the ball nestling in the right hand corner of the next, 2-0 to the RAF. Five minutes later the same forward missed a good opportunity to put the RAF 3-0 up, scooping over from 10 yards after some good approach play by SAC Douglas and SAC Lawrie. The RAF continued to dominate, with the wing backs continuing to dominate, along with SAC Thomas in the middle of the midfield. The RNs first attack from open play was not until the 40th minute, with their striker breaking through one on one only to be denied by a good save from SAC Wray. The half time whistle saw the RAF go in dominating the match so far, and perhaps disappointed that they were not more than 2 goals to the good.

The second half however was a different story, a prime example of the often quoted ‘game of 2 halves’. The RN side came out fired up and dominated the early exchanges. The RAF side were not helped by an early injury to SAC Hanson, who was having a good game at left wing back. He was replaced after 50 mins by SAC Jeffrey, forcing the RAF to change from their customary 3-5-2 to a more unfamiliar 4-4-2. Two minutes later good build up play by the RN forced SAC Wray to make an excellent right handed stop low down to keep his goal intact. The RN were now on top of proceedings, with the RAF side guilty on occasion of giving the ball away too cheaply. On the hour, the RN had a strong penalty appeal turned down. The next goal, whichever way it went, would prove critical. Unfortunately for the RAF, it went to the Navy when, after 65 mins, a penalty was awarded for a push in the RAF penalty area, and the resulting kick decisively put away by the Navy No 8. The RN continued to come forward, their desire to get something from the game after a poor first half becoming evident. They got their reward 5 mins later when, after good play down their right hand side, the ball was delivered into the RAF box. The home defence failed to clear their lines, and the RN left winger took full advantage to slot the ball home and level things up at 2-2. A change of personnel for the RAF followed, with SAC Clarke coming on to replace SAC Lawrie, as the RAF manager tried to ‘freshen’ the side up and bring them back into the game. The rest of the game saw the RN side continue to dictate proceedings, and they could have grabbed a winner 5 mins before the end, but Cpl Sammut was on hand to head clear off the line after a free header from a Navy corner. By the final whistle, the RAF had managed to hang on for a 2-2 draw, which may seem a fair result after 2 such contracting halves of football, but the RN will perhaps go away feeling they could, and should, have won the game. Whilst the playing surface did not help, the RAF will rue the fact that they did not have the game wrapped up by half time.

RAF Team:

SAC Jake Wray - RAF Waddington
Cpl Ben Sammut - RAF Brize Norton
SAC Alex Hanson - RAF Coningsby
Cpl Scott Fuller - RAF Innsworth
Cpl Dyfan Pierce - MOD St Athan
Cpl Gavin Barnes - RAF Odiham
SAC Michael Douglas - RAF Odiham
Cpl Andy Brabbs - DCAE Cosford
Cpl Darren Shallicker - RAF Lossiemouth
SAC Scott Lawrie - RAF Leuchars
SAC Neil Thomas - MOD St Athan
Cpl Paul Feeley - MOD London
Cpl Ian Matthews - RAF Wittering
SAC Paul Clarke - RAF Wittering
SAC Mike Jeffrey - RAF Marham
Fg Off Mark Bowden - RAF Lossiemouth