RAF VETERANS INTER SERVICES MATCH REPORTS

The IS competition took place at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth adjacent to HMS Temeraire, in this the RN’s centenary year over the 17 & 18 Mar 09.

VS ARMY VETS – TUE 17 MAR 09

Keen to start well following the 3-3 draw last year at Aldershot, the RAF Vets came out with an attacking 2,3,2,3 formation. Early RAF pressure threatened the Army goal, but it was the Army who had the first short-corner (SC) opportunity, which narrowly missed the upright. However, as the game progressed the Army began to exert pressure and it was in the 15th minute that they took the lead. Immediately from the restart the RAF surged forward and a neat move put Powell in on the baseline, after some impressive individual skill, beating 3 defenders and the goal keeper (GK) he calming rolled it into the net. The equaliser inspired the RAF squad, who came close through a simple passing move between Cartmell and Evans before Patel’s shot was well saved by the Army GK. But, soon after, a good tackle led to Powell releasing a hard ball into a diving Patel who guided past the despairing GK. Not to be overawed the Army pressed for the equaliser and were rewarded, following the RAF losing possession on the left, from which the winger drove into the corner before releasing the ball to the top of the ‘D’ from where it was drilled home. Heading towards half-time the Army pressed and despite a good save by Johnson in the RAF goal the rebound fell to the Army who had a simple tap in to go 3-2 up. The RAF had a SC tipped over the bar by the GK, followed soon after by a good save by Jonno at the other end from an Army breakaway attack. However, it was the RAF who scored next, with a SC rebound being driven into the roof of the net by Cartmell following another good save by the Army GK.

The second half saw the RAF coming out strong, keen to establish an early lead against a strong Army Vets XI. Both sets of forwards had opportunities from open play, with again both GKs being up to the task of defending their nets. However, the RAF continued to press with more individual skills from Powell leading to a lay-off to Patel who slotted the ball past the GK. Further RAF attacks followed from the restart and with their confidence growing the RAF extended their lead to 5-3 with a one-two between Williams and Powell, resulting in a goal for Williams. Not to be out done, the Army then pressed hard to find a way back, with a fine lob being kept out by the RAF bar , followed shortly afterwards by Williams hitting the Army post and narrowly missing with a drag flick from the following Sc. Pressing by the Army left gaps at the back which allowed Hickson to shoot narrowly over the bar and Powell closing the match out with an effort from the right which flew in to the roof of the net. It was just a question of retaining possession and a touch of class from Sanford dribbling the ball down the right hand touchline to run the clock down, with the final score 6-3 to the RAF. Men of the match were Powell for the RAF and ‘Egor’ the Army GK.

VS ROYAL NAVY – WED 18 MAR 09

With the RN beating the Army 4-2 in the morning fixture, it came down to the RN/RAF fixture to decide the winners of the IS Vets competition.

Within 2 minutes of the start the RN broke free and opened their account with a well taken effort which shocked the upbeat RAF. Rising to the task in hand the RAF struck back and had 2 SC opportunities in quick succession, but unfortunately neither effort were converted. The RN then pressed and it was only through sharp and fast defending by Wood and Cartmell that the RN did not go further ahead following their 2 resulting SCs. End to end hockey followed in a flowing open game that both sides wished to win. It was during one of the RAF attacks that the RAF gained a further SC which Powell got on to the end of, drilling the ball low and hard pass the despairing RN GK. Next blood went to the RN who broke away and despite a valiant attempt by Jonno in goal the ball crept under his body and across the line.

Not to be outdone, the RAF countered from Fin in the centre with Powell pressing down the right, before releasing the ball to Williams at the top of the ‘D’, who calmly drag flicked it into the top left hand corner to draw even again at 2-2. With expected tiring of the RN, following their morning game against the Army did not materialise and borth teams pressed for a winner. Finally, with time running out a SC awarded to the RAF resulted in Baldwin digging in to a medley of players and the GK close in to force the ball across the goal line to give the RAF a 3-2 lead and more importantly a cushion which they held on to until the finish. Not only were the RAF vets the IS Vets tournament winners for 2009, (the first win since 2002, Neil Powell was also named Vets player of the tournament.

Squad: