Royal Navy Development faces United Services Portsmouth as Inter Services draws closer

The Royal Navy Development squad played in a friendly match against United Service Portsmouth FC (USPFC) as they look to build a match-winning team ready to defend their U23s Inter Services title in February. 

The match, which was held at HMS Temeraire's Victory Stadium in Portsmouth, saw USP beat the Navy 2-1 after a tightly contested match between both sides. 

As February's Inter Services draws closer, USP provided perfect opposition for the Royal Navy Development as new and familiar faces looked to make their case to Head Coach Lieutenant Commander Chris James, who used this match as an opportunity to assess squad strength and to look at potential players for the Inter Services team.

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The first half saw the Navy show they were capable of keeping up with their Portsmouth opponents, showing their ability to keep hold of the ball and not give the opposition too many opportunities to gain an advantage. 

A few missed opportunities to score goals, however, saw them unable to gain an advantage over USPFC early in the first half. 

As the first half progressed, the players from USP began to find their rhythm, and it didn't take long before Clayton Stafford, assisted by teammate Dan Sibley, scored the first goal of the game to give USP a 1-0 advantage over the Navy.

The Navy did everything they could to fight back, but they were unable to equalise the scoreboard before half-time. 

The Navy made some substitutions as they returned for the second half, and it was Morgan Jones who scored the Navy's equaliser bringing the scoreboard to 1-1. 

It didn't take long for USPFC to respond, however, as Clayton Stafford scored his second goal of the match to bring the score to 2-1, giving them yet another advantage over the Navy. 

At the final whistle, it was USPFC who came out on top ahead of the Royal Navy Development squad. 

The match provided a great test for the Navy and with more fixtures to come before they face the Army and the RAF at the Inter Services, they will be looking for areas for improvement before their Inter Services defence in February.