The RAF Football Association (RAF FA) Senior Representative Team (SRT) played their 3rd fixture of the new season against the English Police FA on 28 November 2011 at DCAE Cosford. With the focus firmly on achieving a historic 5th consecutive Inter-Service Title in the Spring, it was a team with several new faces that stepped out onto the pitch with everyone eager to prove their worth. Speaking before the game, Team Manager Sgt Nick De-Long was keen to point out that the game was a key stepping stone in the development of the team; both in terms of developing tactics and embedding new players, but also in establishing a ‘podium mentality’.
The first half started at a fierce pace with both teams fighting for possession, resulting in a highly competitive battle throughout all areas of the pitch. However, after the first 15 minutes, the pace began to settle, with both teams beginning to add width to their game. Luckily it was the SRT who achieved success through this tactic, when on 19 minutes the Police keeper fumbled a cross, leaving Cpl Prior with an easy tap-in to take the lead. Despite the setback, the Police were eager to get back into the fixture and the competitive nature of the game soon re-emerged. However, tight defending on both sides left the forwards frustrated, with the only chances coming from ranged efforts.
The second half began much as the first, with close marking restricting passing and resulting in the use of long balls from both Teams. Chances on goal where therefore limited and the SRT were unable to focus on the passing game which was the aim of the fixture. However, with the appearance of fresh legs from the RAF bench and the obvious tiring of the Police in the final 15 minutes, the nature of the game changed markedly. The SRT players started to find space and were able to show their true calibre. Impressive linkup play between the midfield, wingbacks and forwards soon resulted in several chances on goal, with SAC Millar going close on several occasions. Ultimately the pressure told and SAC Smith scored a truly first-class goal; flicking the ball over the last defender, then keeper, in a goal that resembled Gazza’s famous finish in Euro 96 (Maybe it’s no coincidence that SAC Smith’s nickname is ‘Geordie’).
With a solid 2-0 win over strong opposition, Nick De-Long was very happy with the result but stressed that there was still work to be done. Naming just a few of those who had stood out, both goal scorers were praised for their performances; with Loz Prior proving to be an ever present threat and the young newcomer Geordie Smith showing considerable promise for the future. Likewise, new boy Ellis was instrumental in the flowing football in the final 20 minutes and SAC Dixon proved his steadfastness at the back. With the next fixture in quick succession only 3 days later against the Prison Service, Nick stated that the focus would be on extending the periods of quality seen against the Police to result in a ‘cleaner’ performance, but he was highly encouraged by the energy, high morale and passion that he had seen on the pitch.
The SRT now look ahead to their fixtures in the New Year, particularly against the Irish Defence Force in Cork in late Feb, which will be their final major challenge before the hugely anticipated clashes against the Army and Navy in March.