Tue 11 Oct at 1300 Hogwood Training Ground, nr Reading
In only their second fixture of the new season, the RAF Senior Representative Team (SRT) Manager, Sergeant Nick De-Long was keen to emphasize that this fixture was a stretch target for the RAF and that the performance was more important that the result. With Reading fielding a team of young and highly capable professionals, that included 2 English and 2 Irish youth internationals, it was clear that the RAF were going to be tested throughout the match and taken out of their comfort zone.
Immediately from the kickoff, the Reading forward, Murphy, chased down the ball and forced the RAF defender to bring him down on the edge of the box giving away a free kick. This gifted Reading the perfect opportunity for an early shot on goal, but fortunately for the RAF, they blasted the ball high and wide. The opening pace was frantic with both teams attempting to get the ball down and control the pace and direction of play with Reading looking to utilize width at every opportunity. On 9 minutes, the Reading full back, Mills, played a glorious long ball to the left midfielder, Walcott, who cut in and shot hard producing a fine save by the RAF keeper, Cpl Mears. As Reading started to gain the upper hand, Cpl Mears was again called on to thwart another attack saving the right midfielder’s, Edwards, effort smartly.
Despite this persistent pressure, it was the RAF that took the lead on 13 minutes; a long ball forward was brought down well by SAC Millar who was pulled back by the Reading defender as he drove into the box. The penalty was clinically dispatched into the bottom left hand corner by SAC Dixon to give the SRT an unexpected one goal lead. The Reading response was immediate and sustained with their midfield passing the ball at pace with accuracy as they looked to stretch the SRT down the flanks. Cpl Mears was again required to save smartly before finally being beaten on 19 minuntes; Reading worked the ball down the right flank and the subsequent cross was headed in at the back post by the impressive left midfielder, Walcott, to make it 1-1.
Reading kept their foot on the gas and the RAF had to work hard to close down the space and Reading created a couple more chances before the RAF got their next real chance. Following another fine save from Cpl Mears on 24 minutes, the RAF broke at pace and SAC Millar lobbed the keeper, but unfortunately for the RAF, it cleared the bar as well. From this, Reading worked the ball to the left midfielder, Walcott, who then cut in on his favoured right foot and smashed an unstoppable shot past Cpl Mears to make it 2-1.
It was at this point that the RAF made their first substitutions with SAC Chorley replacing the impressive Cpl Mears in goal and Cpl McWilliam replacing Sgt Preston in midfield. The game continued to flow at a fast pace with the Reading 5-man-midfield interlinking well and various players willing to shoot from the edge of the box at every opportunity. Despite the pace and the quality of the passing, the RAF worked hard to stay organized with every player doing the hard yards to support a team mate and they managed to keep Reading at bay until the last kick of the first half. Playing through midfield again, Reading worked the ball down the right flank for the fullback, Mills, to cross into the box, which was duly met by the midfielder, Gage, to make the half time score 3-1.
The second half started with the RAF looking to retain the ball, to communicate better and not concede any more goals. Tactical changes on 50 minutes saw SAC Groves replaced Cpl Watkins in midfield and SAC Millar replaced by Cpl Henley with SAC Evans moving upfront to offer a greater physical presence. Unfortunately, it was Reading that struck next when a cross from the impressive Walcott was headed the ball into bottom right hand corner by the Reading forward, Murphy, on 51 minutes. However, worse was to come less than 60 seconds later when the forward, Murphy, produced an exquisite side foot finish to guide a cross from the right into the bottom left corner of the goal to make the score 5-1. Conceding 2 goals so quickly clearly knocked the RAF’s confidence and they lost their shape for a short period of time as they pressed to get a goal. Cpl Mears rotated again with SAC Chorley and was immediately called into action saving well to deny Reading another goal scoring opportunity.
The RAF quickly regained their composure and a goal kick from Cpl Mears was fed out to SAC Oakley on the left hand side and his cross was put behind for a corner that was defended well by Reading and cleared. Given the pace of the game, the RAF continued to rotate its players with Cpl Duffy replacing Cpl Woodhouse in midfield on 64 minutes. This seemed to reenergize the RAF with SAC Groves shooting straight at the Reading keeper, Santangelo, following a lay-off from SAC Evans after 65 minutes. Quickly after that, Cpl Norton played a nice one-two with SAC Evans to fashion a chance, but unfortunately shot over. The pair worked well together again to win a corner on 75 minutes with SAC Evans’ strong physical presence giving the RAF a platform to work off.
The RAF fashioned another goal scoring opportunity on 78 minutes when a long goal kick was allowed to bounce by the Reading defender, Cooper, and Cpl Norton was on hand to pounce on the mistake, but was unable to finish. Despite these chances, Reading continued to play the ball around the midfield with the defensive midfielder, Gage, looking particularly adept at finding space and time to dictate the pace of the game. The Reading pressure on the RAF was incessant and they did well to repel numerous attacks in quick succession.
Both teams continued to give their all until the final whistle despite the result never being in question; the game was won by a very technically adept and well organized professional team. Speaking after the game, the RAF Manager, Sergeant Nick De-Long emphasized the importance of the fixture as a stretch target that highlighted the importance of communication flow across the pitch and the requirement for composure. Despite the result, the RAF team performance in the second half was better and the individual work ethic demonstrated a strong team ethos that will be invaluable for the rest of the season.
RAF SRT:
1: Cpl Mears
2: Cpl Bartley
3: Sgt Pierce
4: SAC Dixon
5: SAC Evans
6: SAC Williams
7: Cpl Norton
8: Sgt Preston
9: Cpl Watkins
10: Cpl Woodhouse
11: SAC Millar
12: Cpl Henley
14: Cpl McWilliam
15: SAC Oakley
16: SAC Groves
17: Cpl Duffy
21: SAC Chorley
Reading Reserves XI:
1: Santangelo
2: Mills
3: Raymond
4: Gage
5: MacDonald
6: Cooper
7: Walcott
8: Goddard
9: Murphy
10: Lossaso
11: Edwards
12: Webb
14: Griffin
15: Murphy
16:Carr