Brilliant Navy come from behind to beat RAF and win Inter Services opener in Shrewsbury

The Royal Navy men's football team put in a spectacular second-half performance to beat the RAF in the Inter Services opener in Shrewsbury.

Michael Goddard's diving header put the Air Force in front at half-time, but goals from Olly Ward and Elliot Holmes turned things around for the Navy after the break.

Mark Drysdale's thumping header sealed the 3-1 win for the Senior Service, who will be champions if they beat the Army in the final match at the end of the month.

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The first half was a competitive contest. The Navy hit the crossbar after a low corner from Sean Powell caused chaos in the penalty area, while the RAF tested Laurence McCormick with long-range shots from Joe Spalding and Josh Randall.

The Air Force goal was the best piece of football in the first period. Spalding's running on the right allowed Goddard space to pick out a great run from Michael Campbell, before the RAF skipper delivered a brilliant cross for Goddard to meet with a diving header for a 1-0 lead.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half followed a similar pattern, with chances difficult to come by, and both midfields, featuring UKAF talent such as Danny Kerr, Aaron Eyett and Dave Vincent, were cancelling each other out.

That was all until the Navy changed the game with some lethal finishing. The duo of Holmes and Ward were key to the Navy's success as they linked together for the first two goals. Holmes' deft cross was nodded in by Ward before the RAF could clear off the line, while moments later, Ward found Holmes and he finished brilliantly from the penalty spot.

The Navy looked like winners from that moment on as the RAF struggled to get back into the game. Matt Laycock's brilliant save denied Holmes a second goal after a driving run, but the RAF goalkeeper, who was making his Inter Services debut after impressing for the under-23s, could do nothing about the Navy's third.

Powell's corner was met by the powerful header from Drysdale, and the Navy had the winning result in their grasp.

The RAF will hope to recover against the Army on 18 March before the Army and Navy play in a title decider at Fratton Park on 25 March – you can watch all of the tournament matches live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.