Royal Artillery women win Edwards Cup, heralding a return to top-flight football
The Royal Artillery women's football team have taken a 2-1 victory in the Edwards Cup final, heralding a return to the big time for the Gunners.
This win over Royal Army Medical Services (RAMS) at Cirencester comes after the Gunners dropped to the lowest tier of women's Inter Corps football when they suffered relegation in 2025.
After remaining unbeaten this season in the Lily Parr Division Two, the Gunners have now gained promotion back to the top flight for the 2026/27 campaign.
With further silverware in the offing, the Gunners were up against a determined RAMS outfit.
But their hopes of a league and cup double took a dive when a deflection from Natasha Toms gifted RAMS the game's opener with an own goal midway through the first half.
Squally conditions meant chances for both teams were at a premium. RAMS shaded the first 45 minutes and came close to doubling their account.
Unfortunately, Chantelle Dumbell could only send her shot wide of the target.
RAMS would rue that missed opportunity when, after the break, Jana Kelly headed into her own net from a Hollie Keating corner to level the score at 1-1.
The winning goal came courtesy of Gunners skipper WO2 Nikki Frier. She tried her luck from distance and the ball sailed through the keeper's clutches to seal victory.
After the silverware was secured and the double delivered, Frier paid tribute to her teammates and said: "This group of girls just came together, we got relegated last season to then bounce straight back and win the league (with a game to spare) and then smash that 2-1 win. Happy!"
On her own experience of skippering this season, WO2 Frier continued: "It makes me really happy. It's something I'll hold onto and I think a lot of us that play sports in our career, they are the highlights."
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