20 March 2024

The Crowd Meadow, home of Shrewsbury Town FC was the venue for the winner takes all game between the RAF SRT(M) and the Royal Navy, with the Inter-Services title on the line. The RAF looking to complete a treble of IS Championships and the Navy looking to win the title for the first time since 2016.

A good-sized crowd gathered in the stadium, with entertainment provided by the band of the local Air Cadets Sqn. In what has become a traditional aspect of the RAF home fixture a Juno, crewed by Capt Matt Marshall and Sgt Dimitri Mavroyenneas from 670 Sqn AAC, 1FTS RAF Shawbury delivered the match ball to AVM Tamara Jennings, President of RAF Football. 

nowing only a win would see them champions The Royal Navy came out strong from the kick off,  dominating possession and creating the majority of the chances, but some great saves by the RAF keeper Christian Paulat-Brigg, and great defending from the RAF back line kept the scores even. It wasn’t till the 27th minute that a goal came to split the sides where a perfectly timed through ball from Mike Goddard found Joe Spalding who made a bursting run into box and tucked the ball into the RN far post. 1-0 RAF and all to do for the Navy, though they could feel hard done by going in down at the break as they continued to create chances with the RAF having to defend well.

Needing to score at least twice in the second half the RN went for it and boldly made 2 half time substitutions, would they pay off? 20 mins into the second half the Navy scored the equalizer their performance deserved, a looped through ball came over the RAF defence for the Navy centre forward to expertly control and finish with aplomb into the back of RAF net. 1-1, still advantage RAF but the RN had their tails up now.

More dominance from the Navy but still half chances for both teams and even the odd half shout for a penalty waved away at both ends. The Navy pressure finally paid off in 87th minute where a ball into the box to find the navy striker as he scores his second of the game to give the RN a 2-1 lead.

With the RAF needing a goal to retain the title they pushed on but their efforts were not enough and  the full time whistle was blown to see the RN lift the IS title since 2016.

A valiant effort from the RAF but in the end the RN were worthy Champions and undoubtedly the RAF will come back stronger next season.

Photo 1 – RAF SRT(M)
Photo 2 – Cpl Phil Bright, 20 Sqn RAF Boulmer
Photo 3 – AS1 Joe Spalding, RAF Leeming