RAF holds off Navy onslaught to take vital victory in women's Inter Services opener
The Royal Air Force women’s football team have made a vital step towards their Inter Services title defence with a 1-0 win against the Royal Navy in Havant.
A tenth minute first half goal by Lucy Farrow put the light blues on the right footing for the rest of the game, in the face of mounting pressure from the Navy side.
Royal Navy captain Nat Bavister was presented with a golden cap before the start of the game, marking her induction into the Royal Navy Football Hall of Fame in recognition of her significant contributions to Navy football.
The Royal Air Force took control of the pace in the opening stages of the game, and their close-kitted teamwork quickly paid off as multi-talented athlete Jeorgia Carr pulled off a brilliant assist for Lucy Farrow, who was there to complete the finish for an RAF lead.
The Navy was robust in their defence and looked threatening to the RAF on multiple occasions.
But play was halted when RAF player Hannah Hale went down with a suspected knee injury and was helped off the field by medical staff, and teammate Niamh Hoey was called off the bench to take her place on the field of play.
The Navy could not break the RAF deadlock however before half time, and despite having all the play during stoppage time, they went into the second half with some work to do amidst a formidable RAF team.
In the second half, the Navy returned to the field of play determined to apply the pressure on the RAF, and the home side took a much more physical approach to their game.
The RAF began to feel that pressure with a huge opportunity for Farrow to double her tally saw her curve the ball too far to the left and miss the goal by inches.
The Navy also had their chances, as Sophie Colbourn took the opportunity to finally get the Navy on the right footing, but her shot on goal was successfully deflected by RAF goalkeeper Jamie-Lee Bamford.
But the two sides were evenly matched in the second half of the game and come the full time whistle, neither the Navy or the RAF could come through to change the result which ended with a 1-0 win for the RAF.
The Inter Services champions have completed an important step in their quest to win their fifth successive title, and the Navy walk away scoreless and disappointed.
The Navy turns their attention to their clash against the British Army on 25 March.
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