Head coach Capt Al Brown (RE) celebrated a memorable first season in charge of the Army men’s football team as a 3-0 win over the Royal Navy saw them crowned Inter-Services champions for 2025.
Having drawn 1-1 with the Royal Air Force in their first match, and then seeing the Senior Service beat the same opponent 3-0, the Reds headed into the Uxbridge clash knowing only a victory would be enough in their quest for silverware – and they duly delivered in a battling display.
After a frenetic opening the Navy were the first to threaten as AET Emmanuel Roche picked up the ball in midfield and drove forward before firing a shot just over from the edge of the area.
Spr Ryan Fagan (RE) was the soldiers’ brightest attacking outlet in the early exchanges and it was his quick footwork and cross that led to the opening goal in the 14th minute.
With the opposition defence clearing behind, Cpl Clay Bryant (REME) produced a wicked delivery from the resulting corner that beat goalkeeper Cpl Laurence McCormick at the near post to find the net.
Fagan then saw a deflected shot drift wide before a header from LPT Gary Hird narrowly looped over the Army crossbar.
An interception by Spr Ryan Kenyon (RE) led to the Reds’ next opportunity on the half-hour mark as Fagan controlled a raking cross-field pass from skipper SSgt Declan Shuttleworth (REME) and curled a shot agonisingly close to the top corner.
Kenyon failed to convert a low cross from Cpl Jamie Turner (R Signals) on the stroke of half-time, but the Army were good value for their lead as the two sides headed to the break.
Turner had the first chance of the second period as he fired wide after the Navy failed to deal with a long ball forward shortly before Cpl Sean Woolley (RLC) doubled his team’s advantage.
Having seen an earlier free kick charged down, the winger went one better as he bent his shot round the wall and into the corner with McCormick rooted to the spot.
Substitute Sgt Dominic Creamer (RE) added the third late on as he lifted an effort over the onrushing McCormick and into the net.
“It was about competing and battling,” Brown told SoldierSport afterwards. “We knew the Navy would do that and we had to match them.
“I thought we did that a little bit better and won more first and second balls, which allowed us to play our football.
“We’ve had five camps and looked at more than 50 players this season.
“They have a really good attitude and want to learn and win – they’ve done everything we’ve asked of them.”
