Army U23 2-0 Royal Navy U23

The return of Inter Services football was a welcome sight to the Aldershot Military Stadium on Wednesday afternoon after a two-year break due to Covid-19.

Head Coach Gerwyn Griffiths’ side came into the match in good form after his development team had reached the semi-finals of the Aldershot DFA Senior Cup and created the early chances in the match. Notably Callum Vincent hit the post just after the half hour mark.

Soon after the Army did take the lead. Ryan Fagan worked the ball well down the right creating space inside the 18-yard box before setting up Lewis Simmons who struck home low left footed from 12 yards.

The match opened up somewhat after the interval and the Navy enjoyed a period of possession. The closest they came was when Connor Smith headed just wide of the target just after the hour marker. Harry Evans- Jones was denied by a close range by Navy keeper Gregor Brown.

There was cause for concern when influential Army captain Alfie Moulding limped off after a late challenge from Fraser Dempsey who was cautioned.

However, the Army settled the issue just before the end when Fagan delivered low from the left this time to set up Aaron Moore who bundled home from close range at the second attempt.

The Royal Navy entertain RAF next Wednesday (16th) at HMS Temeraire before the Army travel to Rayners Lane FC on 23rd February to face the RAF in the final match of the competition.

Army: Spr Felix Norman (RE), Spr Franklin Fitzmaurice (RE), Pte Ethan Grayson (Infantry), LCpl Alfie Wilson (REME), Cfn Alfie Moulding (REME), Cfn Danny Constable (REME), Pte Lewis Simmons (Infantry), LCpl Steven Crake (REME), Rgr Harry Evans-Jones (Infantry), Spr Callum Vincent (RE), Ryan Fagan Subs: Gnr Bryant Polius (RA), Pte Aidan Orchard (Infantry), Hldr Owen Mason (Infantry), Spr Ethan Reynolds (RE), Cfn Tristan Hawkins (REME), LCPl Aaron Moore (REME), Callum Jones

Royal Navy: Gregor Brown, Kyle Simpson, Bradley Robins, Owen Aquilina, Jack Wright, Leon Goddard, Kyle Atkinson, Bradley Cox, Connor Smith, Emmanuel Roche, James Cox Subs: Callum Monaghan, Ivan Garner, Callum O’Leary, Liam Wynn, Charley Cuss, Frazer Dempsey, Ben Hayes

Officials (supplied by RAF FA)
Referee: Fl Lt Jack DeSchoolmeester,
Assistants: Cpl James Astley, Sqn Ldr Lee Wood
Fourth: Cpl Craig Harper

Photograph by JPF Sports Media