Double Inter-Services Success For Army Footballers Over Royal Navy

The Army has enjoyed double success against the Navy in this year's Inter-Services championships.

It thrashed the Royal Navy 7-3 at the home of Aldershot Town, as the Army women beat their rivals 2-1 at the Military Stadium.

It didn't start well for the Army men though.

Goalkeeper Luke Cairney suffered a lapse in concentration that allowed the Senior Service to take the lead, with Alan Sneddon finding the net after just six minutes.

Cairney helped make amends just a few minutes later when his long ball led to a mistake in the Navy defence, however.

As Luke Noble began bearing down on goal he was taken out by Ben Booker and the referee pointed to the spot.

Callum Wilkinson sent Navy shot-stopper Margs Magerson the wrong way and the scores were all square.

It wasn't long before the Navy was back in front though. Booker atoned for his earlier error, heading home a Ryan McKecknie corner.

At 2-1 down the Army's defence appeared the more porous between the sides.

To their credit though, the Army players didn't let their heads drop. Wilkinson's size and tenacity caused the dark blues problems and the powerful striker levelled the scores with a neat finish.

With confidence restored having trailed twice, it was the turn of the Army to take the lead. Dan Stoneman's first class pass allowed Adam Wakely time to pick his spot and Magerson was beaten for the third time. At half-time, the men in red were 3-2 up.

The second half saw the game open up further but as the Navy failed to create clear-cut chances they were picked off at the other end. Stoneman steered the ball home to extend his side's advantage.

The Army continued to push forward at every opportunity, with Sam Atkinson's sweet strike putting the Reds in total control. 

Noble added goal number six. Having forced the save from Magerson he waited patiently before nodding in at the third time of asking.

Wakely pounced late on to put his team in seventh heaven, as the Army recorded their 11th goal against the Navy in their last two meetings.

The dark blues managed to add to their total and restore some pride at the death as Andy Todd was felled in the box. He put away the penalty but it was the Army's night.

They could wrap up the Inter-Services with a victory against the RAF next week.

It was a similar scenario for the Army women who battled back from going a goal down against the Navy at the Military Stadium.

Lucy Foreman made a hash of a header, seeing it squirm in from Ciara Boylan's free kick.

The dark blues have yet to win this competition and were indebted to HMS Queen Elizabeth-based Lou Lee for keeping the Army at bay. 

The home side came out strongly in the second half to eventually break the Navy's resistance though, with Shannon Weston on target for the equaliser.

Three minutes later the Army was in front.

Kelly Aldridge, who helped fire Yeovil Town Ladies into the Women's Super League top division, went on a trademark charge towards the goal.

But she was brought down and a penalty was given.

Aldridge made no mistake from the spot and the Army march on to Shrewsbury for a showdown with defending champions the RAF.

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