RAF gain the upper hand with victory over the Navy in U23s Inter Services opener

The Royal Air Force have won the opening match of the U23s Inter Services football after beating the Royal Navy 0-1 at Westleigh Park.

Under new leadership, both the RAF and the Navy have heralded a new era for their respective teams - as both sides arrived in Havant with a mix of experience as well as many fresh faces in military football. 

The RAF have not won the U23s Inter Services since 2020, whereas the Navy looked to put right what went wrong last year when they conceded what would've been their fourth consecutive title to the Army.

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Both teams opened the game scrapping for early momentum, as both keepers were kept busy after both sides had their chance to get shots on target in the first 20 minutes.

But the RAF seemed to grow quicker into the game than their Navy opponents, and soon the light blues were certainly gaining on ball possession.

Soon the RAF’s efforts were rewarded when they were given a free kick - and Raul Christer stepped forward with a chance to rocket the light blues into the lead.

His strike hit the bar however - and Navy keeper Josh Grant played his part in defecting the RAF’s golden chance and the closest a team had some to scoring so far.

As half time began to loom, neither team had yet found a breakthrough and frustration among the players was becoming evident. 

But in the nick of time, the RAF managed to break the deadlock with Rio Ward collecting a defection and struck his first Inter Service goal at close range. 

After the celebratory opening goal for the RAF, the light blues go into half time with a 1-0 lead over the Senior Service.

In the second half, both teams fell back into a game where neither side could materialise in their chances.

After a five-minute pause after an injury to Navy substitute player Harley Morris, the Navy began to pick up their pace as the clock continued to run down.

But the defensive play from the RAF frustrated the Navy once more, with many chances for the senior service not coming to fruition. 

At full time, the players in light blue shirts raised their arms aloft in celebration as their 0-1 victory over the Navy was confirmed - as players from the Senior Service begin to take stock of their loss. 

The RAF are now in pole position as they now prepare to face the Army on The New Saints FC on 11 February, which you can watch live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.