Winger Cfn Femi Takyi (REME, pictured) was the hero for the Army as his clinical late strike sealed a 3-1 win over their Royal Air Force rivals and with it the Under-23 Inter-Services Football Championships trophy.
After drawing 2-2 with the Royal Navy in their opening game, the Reds needed to beat the airmen by two clear goals to take the title but looked to be falling agonisingly short as they led 2-1 with the clock ticking towards the 90-minute mark.
However, Takyi had other ideas and when the physicality of forward Spr Jack Lowe (RE) proved too much for the visiting defence the wide man was on hand to race into the area and fire a low shot across goal and into the bottom corner to secure the silverware.
The result was a deserved outcome for the soldiers, who carried the greater attacking threat throughout with Takyi at the heart of their play.
After a cagey opening spell, the hosts asserted control and came close to opening the scoring when Tpr Tyler Stevens (RAC) drew a smart save from AS1 Miles Coaley with a well-struck drive from the edge of the area. Skipper Sig Luke Thompson (R Signals) then headed wide from a corner before Stevens went one better.
When the RAF failed to deal with a lofted ball into the box, Takyi showed some sublime skill to leave two defenders in his wake before cutting the ball back for his fellow attacker to convert at the near post.
A moment of magic from Pte Buster Reed (RLC) then saw the Army double their lead in the 53rd minute. Fullback LCpl Ethan Reynolds (RE) played a pass into the striker’s feet and he was given time to gather and turn before firing a rasping shot past Coaley from 25 yards.
With the scoreline in their favour the Reds set about managing the remainder of the contest and they largely went untroubled until the RAF scored with their first meaningful effort on goal – substitute AS1 Dean Higham drilling home in the 80th minute.
However, they regrouped and after Thompson powered a free header over from a corner Takyi took centre stage to deliver the knockout blow.
“From the moment we came into camp it has been brilliant,” Thompson told SoldierSport at full-time. “It’s not just about the players; it is the coaches and all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. We have all worked so hard for this.”
