UKAF Womens team

Presidents Cup Success For The UK Armed Forces Womens Team

UK Armed Forces Women 3 The Royal Netherlands Combined Services Women 2 17 April 2017 – RAF Cosford

Following last season’s defeat for the UK Armed Forces Women’s Team in the same fixture in Holland (4-2) this victory shows the excellent progress that has been made during the past twelve months. Preparation had been good with the Women spending a few days prior to the game at RAF Cosford and going through training session under the guidance of Head Coach Sgt Paddy O’Brien.

It was the Dutch who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when a defensive error provided the opportunity for Sgt Velde to put the visitors 0-1 up. The opening half hour saw an evenly contested game with both teams getting stuck in whilst playing some good passing football. On 34 minutes a good chance for the UK Armed Forces saw POPT Bavister pull her shot wide.

A good spell of pressure saw a deserved the equaliser for the home side arrive with 38 minutes on the clock, a right wing cross being headed home by Cpl Stewart. The UK Armed Forces were buoyed and made the most of their momentum to take the lead two minutes before half time when Elnt Bik headed into her own net.

The second half was only 7 minutes in when the Dutch levelled with a quite stunning goal, Kpl Scheerder firing home an unstoppable 35 yard screamer into the top corner, 2-2 and all to play for. The all-important UK Armed Forces winning goal came on 75 minutes with a really good finish by POPT Bavister. Now 3-2 up the home side finished the game strongly with Player of the Match Cpl Stewart going close on two occasions, the first with a cheeky back heel and secondly with a curling shot from the edge of area. All in all a hardworking, solid and positive team performance.

Sgt Paddy O’Brien commented, "It’s been the first time we have had the team together for a long time. The opportunity to train at Aston Villa’s training ground was a great lift for the team. It’s always nice to win the game but to do so playing the way we did was the highlight, we played some great football. It’s now important we build on this momentum and continue to test ourselves against the best "

UK Armed Forces Women

GNR J Horsley (RA)

LCpl T Trowbridge (ARTD RG RR(S) ACC Taunton)

LCpl J Keane (5 Med Regt)

SLT N Brierly (RNAS Culdrose)

Cpl L Foreman (RMP)

Cpl C Beaver (Capt) (RAF Cranwell)

LCpl L Dixon (16 Med Regt)

Cpl Z Stewart (2 Mercian)

G O’Leary (42 Commando)

AET A Kaptein (Boscombe Down)

POPT N Bavister (HMS Nelson)

Cpl J Treharne (RLC)

SAC K Haywood (RAF Waddington)

SAC S Wylie (RAF Odiham)

Cpl H Sloan (QARANC)

R McDonnell (DHE Birmingham)

Referee:

PO Lee Dudman (Royal Navy)

For further information on UK Armed Forces Football please contact:

Vince Williams

UKAFF Secretary

Tel: 01993 895704

Email: vince.williams@royalairforcefa.com

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