Sean Woolley strikes twice as RLC beat Royal Signals in extra time to reach cup final

The Royal Logistic Corps have beaten the Royal Signals in extra time to confirm their finalist spot in the 2025 Woolwich Cup.

Sean Woolley, fresh off a stunning free-kick for the British Army in the Inter Services, was the RLC's main man as he scored twice, including an extra-time winner from the spot.

Jamie Turner also netted a penalty for the Royal Signals but the RLC head to the final hunting for the trophy they won two years ago.

• RAF women hold off late Army charge to win fifth Inter Services title in a row
• Le Crunch: Watch Royal Navy v Marine Nationale in full again
• Watch: Weekly Forces Sports Show

The semi-final, played at Faringdon Town's Tucker Park stadium, was a repeat of the 2023 final and saw the winners that year (RLC) take on the current holders of the trophy (Royal Signals).

It was the RLC who started quickly and created an opportunity inside 20 seconds, but Buster Reed's long-range driver was pushed away by Signals' shot-stopper Oliver Geary.

At the other end, Jorge Crofts spun away from the towering presence of Mo Sabo but flashed his shot wide as the Signals showed their threatening talent.

Unsurprisingly, it was Woolley, the RLC captain, who played a major part in the game. His free kick against the Royal Navy was the highlight of the British Army senior men's Inter Services triumph last month, and he found the opening goal here.

Liam Laidler's lofted free-kick was nodded down by Ben Regan, and Woolley was quickest to react as he fired his shot into the back of the net via a deflection from Signals defender and Army under-23s captain Luke Thompson.

The Signals were determined to hold on to the trophy, though and had experience of battling through the semi-final stage in the last two seasons.

Above: Watch the 2023 Woolwich Cup final in full as the RLC took on the Royal Signals.

Daniel Rogers' pass unlocked the RLC defence, but Samuel Watson could not show the composure needed as he blasted over the crossbar from a good position, but the leveller wasn't far away.

Mo Sabo was adjudged to have pushed his arm towards the ball in an unnatural way by the official, and the Signals were handed a chance to get back into the game from the penalty spot

Jamie Turner, who was the Army's main forward option at the Inter Services, coolly slotted it away to create a tense evening for both teams.

That's because neither side could find a winning goal in the rest of normal time, with Geary pulling off a stunning save to deny Laidler's half-volley, and both Thompson and Sabo headed wide from point-blank range.

Extra time followed, and it was another penalty decision that would decide the contest.

In the eyes of the referee, Woolley was fouled by Geary and the RLC skipper picked himself up to convert from the spot and send his team into next month's final.

The Signals forced one more opportunity to level the scores, but a stunning close-range save by RLC goalkeeper Stevie McMullan kept out Liam Goodrum's header in the final few minutes.