Champions make winning start in Lincoln as RAF defenders score to edge out Royal Navy

The RAF women's football team have begun their fifth defence of the Inter Services football championship with a 2-1 win over the Royal Navy at the LNER Stadium in Lincoln.

Both the Air Force and the Navy had new team managers with Flight Sergeant Karl Craven and WO2 Ben Prince- Hall keen to show what their players could do.

The Air Force have been unbeatable since 2016 and set about dominating their Navy rivals from the start.

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Only stubborn defending and fine goalkeeping from Eilish Brogan kept out a barrage of pressure. On the half hour, that pressure finally paid off and it was the unlikely boot of left back Abi Hayes that broke the deadlock, though the Navy keeper will feel she should have saved it.

1-0 became 2-0 right on half-time. A fierce free kick from Erin Wilson cannoned off the head of right-back Ashleigh Housley-Stott into the net to give the Air Force a deserved lead.

The Navy came back fighting after the break. The introduction of several players off the bench, notably Lily Chubb, sparked them into life and they got back into the game with 10 minutes left.

A pinpoint cross from the left by evergreen captain Nat Bavister found the head of Robyn McFadden, who beat the largely under-employed Jamie Lee-Bamford for a fine goal, their first against the RAF since 2019.

The RAF dominated the closing minutes and had a third goal from skipper Cat Beaver ruled out for offside.

It was a closer win than most expected for the RAF with huge credit to the Navy for their performance. The RAF take home the Lynsey Miller Trophy, presented in memory of a much-loved RAF former player and secretary, who sadly died from cancer 10 years ago. Her father Vince presented the trophy.

The RAF could wrap up a sixth consecutive Inter Services title with a win against the Army at Bracknell on 19 March. while the Navy play the Army on 24 March at Havant and Waterlooville.