WO2 Margaret McAteer’s side went into last week’s game in dominant form, having beaten AFC Wimbledon, Middlesex, Queens Park Rangers and the Germany Army. The freezing weather put paid to the league fixture against Sussex two weeks’ prior, and this game will be rearranged for after the Inter Services.

McAteer was forced into four changes from the team that beat Middlesex in October, as goalkeeper Nicola O’Donnell, Ashleigh Rea, Emma Askins and goal machine Kelly Aldridge were unavailable. Coming into the starting line up were Cpl Mandy Kidd, LCpl Micha Taylor, LCpl Jemma Dinning and LBdrDaisy Burnfield.

On a cold, rain-swept night at the Military Stadium, it was the hosts who got proceedings underway, kicking towards the Pavilion End.

Six minutes in, and the Army fired a warning sign as Micha Taylor shook off her marker but fractionally failed to connect with a superb cross.

Taylor then forced a magnificent point-blank save from Kent goalkeeper Kelly Amer to win a corner.

The ladies in red finally got themselves on the score sheet, as Cpl Libby Dixon fired a shot from just outside the box at goal. It fizzed past the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net to the delight of coach Mags McAteer. It was no less than the Army had deserved after their strong start.

McAteer’s side continued their dominance and were rewarded for their efforts with a second, as Sig Laura Murray smashed the ball into the net with five minutes to the interval.

Into stoppage time, Dixon got her second of the game, as the Kent goalkeeper fumbled an initial shot and Dixon instinctively stabbed home for the third goal of the night.

HT: Army 3 Kent 0

Army didn’t take their foot of the gas and got a fourth 10 minutes after the restart, with Micha Taylor deservedly getting herself on the scoresheet.

Four clearly wasn’t enough, and Army efforts continue to fire in from all angles and players, most notably from Cpl Terri Trowbridge who fired a 30-yard rocket which unfortunately flew just wide of the post.

The hosts controlled the game from start to finish, and rightly earned another three points top of the table. A win against Sussex FA will earn them their first Southern Counties Cup trophy in eight years.

The Army Women’s Representative Team next game sees them host the Prison Service on 8 March, ahead of their 2017 Inter Services matches. Kick-off is at 1400 and admission is free. For those unable to attend, live text commentary will be available on the Army FA Twitter account.

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