Football: UKAF lift Friendship Trophy after win over Irish Defence Forces in Leicestershire

UKAF footballers are celebrating after retaining the Friendship Trophy with a 4-1 win over the Irish Defence Forces in Leicestershire.

Playing at Quorn FC on a balmy early summer's evening, neither side could convert their early chances.

The first goal came from the visitors, with the Irish Defence Forces' Aidan Rafferty slotting in a penalty after 23 minutes.

• UKAF women's footballers overpower Irish Defence Forces to retain Friendship Trophy
• UK Armed Forces v Irish Defence Forces: Both men's and women's crunch clashes to be shown live
• UK Armed Forces women prepare for crunch fixtures against Dutch Forces and Irish Defence Forces

Just moments later, however, UKAF equalised through Jack Wright.

The home side extended their lead with a firm strike from Jake Gosling ten minutes later, before Joe Spalding stretched the scoreline to 3-1 before half-time.

After a relatively quiet start to the second half, a screamer from Joe Spalding, his second of the night, gave UKAF their fourth, with just under half an hour to go.

It means UKAF retain the Friendship Trophy after their dramatic 2-1 victory last year.

Earlier in the day, the UKAF women beat their Irish Defence Forces counterparts 5-0 to retain the Friendship Trophy.