RNAS Culdrose prevail on penalties to clinch Navy Cup title over HMS Sultan
RNAS Culdrose have won the 2026 Navy Cup Final on penalties for the first time since 2020 after a tense showdown against HMS Sultan.
Their victory marks the first time the Cornwall-based team have beaten HMS Sultan in a Navy Cup final - having only faced each other twice in the history of the tournament in 1988 and 1997 - where Sultan won on both occasions.
A physical start ensued as both teams grappled for ball possession - HMS Sultan’s Lewys Cummings got the first chance of the game, but his shot was easily intercepted by Culdrose keeper Sam Kellett.
But that first chance was the momentum that Sultan needed as moments later, a deflection on the keeper opened the door for Ozan Kilicolgu to tap in the opening goal and an early lead for Sultan.
Culdrose were needing to find time to settle into the game - and a few mistakes were opening the door once again for Sultan, with their captain Luke O’Brien’s shot on goal going over the bar.
But once Culdrose found their footing, they were on song.
A corner kick into the box from Cameron Quirke found the foot of skipper Dan Greet - who scored to level the board at 1-1.
That was the boost Culdrose needed - and a cross kick from Cameron Quirke caught Sultan keeper George Pattison off guard and the ball was sent into the back of the net to give Culdrose a 2-1 lead.
But as half-time approached, Sultan looked to retake the narrative of this game - and they found their answer with Prosper Kubaufor scoring long range on the fringes of the box to level up again at 2-2.
The second half commenced with both teams on equal footing and grappling for ball dominance with several chances, including free kicks for Culdrose, both coming to fruition.
Frustration ensued as both teams were unable to break the deadlock - and at the full-time whistle the 2-2 result meant the Navy Cup would be decided on penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Culdrose absorbed the pressure from chanting Sultan supporters to score four times to secure their win - with Joe Aldous securing the winning penalties.
With Sultan missing their first two penalties and then only scoring once - they are forced to settle as runners up and their 13-year wait for a Navy Cup title continues.
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