Army Under-23 Stars Take Inter-Services In Dramatic Final Game

The Army has retained the Inter-Services Under-23 Football Championships in dramatic circumstances after a draw with the RAF saw them take the title on goal difference.

Both sides had beaten the Royal Navy earlier in the competition but the Army's 3-0 victory in Portsmouth meant they knew a draw would be enough to see them crowned champions.

It ultimately ended 1-1 in Aldershot - but it was the visitors' Alan Woodcock who forced the first save of the contest out of Army keeper Joe Gorman.

The Air Force enjoyed the best of the first quarter of the match but couldn't quite capitalise on one or two jitters from the home defence.

Despite bossing possession the RAF failed to find the opening goal they craved and the Army gradually grew in confidence.

Looking to hit the airmen on the counter-attack, Sean Woolley overran a scoring opportunity but only last-ditch defending saved the light blues from conceding.

By now the Army were enjoying their best spell of the match.

Ryan Thomson thought he'd opened his team's account only to be thwarted by Matt Cape in the Air Force goal.

Both sides had chances just before the break. Luke Davis failed to make the most of a free header, while Ryan Burrows' menacing run didn't lead to a goal at the other end as the deadlock remained unbroken at half-time.

The airmen started brightly after the restart but must have thought the footballing gods were against them.

With the target seemingly at his mercy, Mike Goddard somehow missed from two yards.

Eventually, though, the light blues found the target. As the Army failed to clear Harbottle's cross, Ross Glibbery fired home for a 54th-minute goal.

That joy was short-lived though. Just a few minutes later the Army equalised when Thomson headed home a measured free-kick from Woolley to make it 1-1.

The Air Force pushed for a winner but ran out of time and the Army nearly nicked it at the death.

So it remained a stalemate, with the Army taking the overall title. Army head coach Captain Paul Dale felt the teams were evenly matched:

"Both keepers influenced the game with some great saves at both ends today."

So the first piece of footballing Inter-Services silverware goes to the Army.

The women's and senior sides embark on their campaigns next month.

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