U23 INTER SERVICES MATCH REPORTS

Army 2 RAF 1

In a tight opening match to this year’s U23 competition, the RAF team was edged out by a skilful performance from a full-strength Army side.

The opening pressure all belonged to the RAF, with some good work being put in through the middle of the park and the defensive pair of Fg Off Tom Knapp and Cpl Alfie Johnson kept out the early Army attacks. The RAF side had their pressure rewarded when a well worked a penalty corner was pushed home by Plt Off Jon MacLeod.

Unfortunately, this goal appeared to galvanise the army side into action. What followed was a period of sustained attacking play that pinned the RAF back in their own half. Some heroic defending kept the army at bay for some time, but 2 quick goals just before half time gave the Army side the initiative. Half time score 2-1.

The second half saw the RAF coming back out with a sense of purpose about their game. Some good attacking play frustrated the Army side, who lost 3 players in quick succession to yellow cards, briefly being left with only 9 men on the field. Unfortunately, the RAF could not capitalise on this advantage and, once the army were restored to full strength, they again asserted their superiority. The RAF however refused to lie down, and defended superbly to keep the deficit at 2-1. Special mention goes to SAC Matt Thompson, who was outstanding in the RAF goal, and was responsible for several saves to keep the RAF in the game.

Man of the match: SAC Sam Taylor

RAF 2 RN 1

The second day of the Inter Services U23 competition saw the reigning champions from the Royal Navy taking on an RAF side that had been narrowly beaten the day before.

Right from the off the RAF were keen to show that they could win the match. Taking advantage of some poor Navy midfield play, the RAF pushed forward to threaten the Navy goal. The RAF’s penalty corner play again paid off, with the first goal coming from another well worked move, with Jon MacLeod again providing the finishing touch. Further pressure failed to tell against a resolute but sometimes desperate RN defence. 1-0 at half time.

Again however getting the first goal proved a mixed blessing for the RAF, as the RN put a spell of pressure on the RAF straight after half time, winning 3 quick penalty corners. However, the equaliser eventually came from open play, with a near post shot being cruelly deflected past Matt Thompson in the RAF goal.

The RN only briefly held the initiative however, as AC Ross Gill stepped up to fire home what proved to be the winning goal, beating the RN keeper low to his left. Further pressure at both ends failed to produce a goal, and at full time the RAF celebrated a well deserved 2-1 win.

Man of the match: SAC Matthew Thompson

RAF U23 Tournament Squad:

SAC M Thompson, Fg Off T Knapp (c), Plt Off J Macleod, SAC S Taylor, Cpl A Johnson, SAC M Taylor, SAC A Flindall, SAC B Kerry, LAC P Hood, LAC D Stotesbury, SAC M Dennett, AC R Gill, AC T Grimshaw,

U23 Player of the Tournament:

 SAC Matt Thompson

U23 players selected for Combined Services:

Fg Off T Knapp

Plt Off J MacLeod

Cpl A Johnson

SAC M Dennett

SAC M Thompson

SAC S Taylor

Match Report: RAF U23 vs Wootton Bassett HC 25 Jan 09

On Sunday 25 Jan the RAF U23 squad turned out to play their second warm-up match of the season against Wootton Bassett 1st XI. Both sides were hit by availability problems however, with sickness and injuries taking the RAF squad down to a bare 11 players and Wootton Bassett being forced to draft a number of 2nd XI players into their depleted ranks.

The game started well, with both sides looking to attack and some excellent passing play from the RAF. Plt Off John MacLeod and SAC Sam Taylor ran the game from midfield, making some impressive runs and opening space for the attackers to work in. Despite opportunities for both sides including one Bassett strike superbly saved by RAF goalkeeper SAC Matt Thompson, the first half remained goalless until 5 minutes to go. A shot from the RAF attack was saved, but looped high over the keeper before being bundled over the line by newcomer AC Nick Brocklehurst, his second goal in 2 games for the RAF. Half time score 1-0 to the RAF.

The second half saw the RAF continue in the vein in which they finished the first, with some confident attacking play leading to a string of short corners. The well-drilled RAF side produced several good opportunities, before eventually converting one short corner through AC Chris Partridge. A third goal was disallowed when RAF winger SAC Al Flindall was judged to have kicked the ball before expertly lobbing the Bassett keeper.

This disallowed goal galvanised Wootton Bassett, who came back at the RAF with some good running and some confident attacking. The RAF defenders, led by team captain Fg Off Tom Knapp, initially coped well with the onslaught, but tired legs began to tell. And with 15 minutes to go, even Matt Thompson was unable to keep out the Bassett attack, beaten well by a superb shot low to his right. Another goal quickly followed, when a quick break down the right hand side allowed Bassett in for their second.

With 5 minutes to go both sides had opportunities, although the RAF were denied a golden opportunity when one of their short corner routines was deemed illegal. Bassett then broke through the middle for one last attack, and a shot that looked to be well covered by Thompson in goal was diverted past him by a desperate lunge from an RAF defender. 3-2 the final score.

RAF Team

SAC Matt Thompson (RAF Lyneham)

Fg Off Tom Knapp (c) (RAF Lyneham)

Cpl Alfie Johnson (RAF Brize Norton)

AC Chris Partridge (RAF Cosford)

AC Dave McAdam (RAF Cosford)

SAC Sam Taylor (RAF Cottesmore)

Plt Off John MacLeod (RAF Lyneham)

SAC Mark Dennett (RAF Uxbridge)

AC Nick Brocklehurst (RAF Cosford)

SAC Al Flindall (RAF Coningsby)

SAC Tom Saunders (RAF Brize Norton)

Thanks to all the players who attended and the umpires who officiated the match. More players are required for the RAF squad due to operational detachments and other availability. Anyone interested should contact Flt Lt Dan Stanley at RAF Lyneham. All standards are welcome, and travel is classed as duty, and is therefore reclaimable.