The RN Senior Football Team travelled to Lancing on 09th December 2009 to play a fixture which was very nearly called off due to a waterlogged pitch and inclement weather conditions. From 10am on the day of the match, Sussex FA had mounted a gargantuan effort to ensure the pitch was devoid of water to ensure the game went ahead as scheduled.
At kick off time, it is fair to say that the pitch was extremely boggy yet in the opinion of the officials, playable as the ensuing match was to prove. Buoyant from the wins in their previous two fixtures in the Southern Counties Championship, the RN faced a Sussex side that had narrowly lost their previous two fixtures. The match heralded the welcome return of the long standing Captain POET Archbold (Daring) and LPT Horsman (Nelson), fresh from PT Course. The match also saw the debut of Goalkeeper ET Kinneally (FSU), who had graduated from the U23 squad.
Due to the central areas of the pitch been extremely bare and sodden, Capt Steve Marr (Excellent) and his Assistant POPT Steve O Neil (Neptune) sent the team out to play an expansive game, with a view to getting the ball out wide as quickly as possible, when in possession. The conditions also caused the RN side to adopt a more direct approach in terms of their tactics. Needless to say CSgt Hope (CTCRM) and ET Joseph (Illustrious) were compelled to work even harder than they normally would to chase a more direct service into advanced areas. 25 minutes into the game it was difficult to split the two teams until Mne Saunders produced a sumptuous piece of wing play culminating in a ball to CSgt Hope who swivelled in the box and delivered the ball to AET Thirkle (Sultan) whose shot was deflected for a corner. The subsequent corner saw CSgt Hope’s vicious shot cleared heroically of the line by a Sussex Defender. From this point on the RN side were starting to get a foothold and only 3 minutes later another run by Mne Saunders found the skipper POET Archbold in an advanced position. His shot was superbly tipped over by the Sussex Keeper. The game was evolving into a consummate physical battle and with LPT Berry (Sultan) winning his personal skirmishes, in the 40 minute, he delivered a delightful ball to CSgt Hope in the right channel. CSgt Hope’s cross to AET Thirkle was superbly controlled prior to his shot being blocked by the Sussex Defence. Half Time Score 0-0
The second half commenced with Sussex FA starting the sprightlier of the 2 teams. Only 1 minute in and AET Ardley (Heron) was superbly placed to block 2 consecutive attempts on goal. 5 minutes later the Navy side launched a superb counter attack led by AB Hoyland (Sutherland). After a great piece of approach play, AB Hoyland delivered a superb through ball to Mne Saunders whose shot was superbly saved, after a one on one situation with the Sussex keeper. The ensuing corner was headed narrowly over by CSgt Hope. In the 60th minute the hard working CSgt Hope picked up the ball in the left channel and delivered a ball to AB Hoyland on the edge of the Sussex penalty box. Yet again, AB Hoyland delivered a superb ball to slip Mne Saunders into another one v one with the Sussex Keeper. Attempting to pass the ball past the keeper Mne Saunders shot wide by a matter of inches. With the Navy completely dominating proceedings, in the 65th minute, a fantastic run from POET Archbold down the right, resulted in a pass to Mne Saunders who fired in a low cross to AET Thirkle. AET Thirkle finished splendidly with a first time strike into the Sussex FA net. Sussex 0 – 1 Royal Navy
Five minutes later Sussex FA launched a counter attack to produce a rare effort on goal, when a long shot looped over ET Kinneally to hit the crossbar. In the 73rd minute LPT Horsman made his long awaited return to RN football by replacing AET Ardley. 5 minutes later, LPT Berry who had revelled in the physical aspects of the encounter, hobbled off injured to be replaced by AET Isaksen (Sultan). With 10 minutes of the match to go, the increasingly impressive AB Hoyland launched yet another attack. After carrying the ball for what seemed like an eternity, he delivered a sumptuous pass to CSgt Hope who shot inches wide. The fourth official called 4 minutes of extra time with the Navy still 1 – 0 up. Two minutes into extra time, ET Joseph summoned enough energy to win the ball in the left channel. He then passed to the advancing AET Thirkle who was left one on one with the Sussex Keeper. AET Thirkle slipped the ball under the Sussex goalkeeper’s body only for the ball to go agonisingly wide of the left post. Seconds later, the Sussex side attacked down the Navy right hand side. Their left midfielder delivered a cross which was cruelly deflected to the waiting striker, who scored at the far post. This was a devastating blow to the Navy side that were left to rue a hatful of missed chances to kill the game.
Final Score Sussex FA 1 – 1 Royal Navy