20th March 2024

Park Hall stadium, home of The New Saints played host for the final Women’s Inter-Service fixture of the 2024 season as RAF welcomed the Royal Navy, with the RAF looking to make it 4 IS titles on the bounce.

The RAF started strong from the first whistle with plenty of half-chances, firstly coming from Lucy Farrow who caught the Royal Navy defence trying to play out from the back but the shot went astray. Some minutes later Mollie Lambert chested down a great ball that came from the right and forced an excellent save from the RN keeper. For the rest of the half there was some strong goalscoring opportunities, not least from Philippa Wilson and Jeorgia Carr but again solid RN goalkeeping kept the scores level going into Half time. The RAF dominated but would the lack of a goal come back to haunt them?

The RN started the second half with more intent, keeping possession of the ball and creating a couple half chances for themselves, without ever really troubling the RAF keeper. It came down to a piece of individual brilliance from Philippa Wilson who stole the ball after a stray touch, found herself 25yds out, took a touch out of her feet and fired a rocket into the top corner of the RN goal to make it 1-0 RAF. A goal more than worthy of a Champions League venue!

The RAF used the goal to keep pushing the Navy onto the backfoot, playing some brilliant football and creating numerous opportunities but the second goal they needed to see out the game didn’t come. At the same time any RN attack was quickly snuffed out with the RAF backline reading the game extremely well and being expertly marshalled by their skipper. Only 10 minutes after the RAF goal disaster stuck for the RN, a cynical challenge led to a second booking and a dismissal for their nr 10. Was it now mission impossible?

The sending off seemed to galvanise the RN and they showed real grit and determination to try and get themselves back into the game, a few chances were made without the ARF ever being seriously troubled. By the end it was the RAF who looked more likely to extend their lead, with Abi Hayes and Pip Wilson dominating the left hand side and the woodwork being struck.

On the final whistle the celebrations started in earnest after a deserved victory for the RAF, one to further solidify their dominance and made the more poignant when the trophy was raised by the indefatigable Rach Howes. 

Photo 1 – Sgt Cat Beaver SRT(W) Captain
Photo 2 – Team celebrating winning goal
Photo 3 – Sgt Cat Beaver lifting trophy alongside vice-Captain Cpl Rachael Howes
Photo 4 -  Team pre-game
Photo 5 – Squad celebrating post game
Photo 6 – AS1 Abi Hayes