After a protracted period without competitive fixtures as a result of adverse weather conditions, the RN U23 development squad played their second game of the season. This game was against London University on 07 Feb 2010. This fixture is traditionally pre-cursor to the final preparations for the Inter-Service competition and once again the standard of opposition ensured a physical but well contested game.
The RN team lined up with their favoured 4-4-2 formation with a number of players back with the squad after lengthy absences through both injury and operational commitments. The game started at pace with the RN side applying the early pressure resulting in a number of set pieces that occupied London University defensively. ET(WE) Jason Farnsworth (ILLUSTRIOUS) and AET Marvin Brookes (RNAS CULDROSE) both made encouraging starts in their wide midfield positions, linking well with their respective fullbacks. The central midfield pairing of team captain LPT Ross McEvoy (CALEDONIA) and LAET Ben Philp (RNAS CULDROSE) kept play ticking over with some good intricate play on a challenging playing surface. London University managed to stifle the early efforts of the RN side and applied a degree of pressure in the latter stages of the first half with AB Matt Hilbourne (ARK ROYAL) being tested in goal on more than one occasion, but the half finished with both sides goalless.(Half-time score 0-0).
The second half started brightly once again with Brookes taking a more central role in attack alongside AET Tony Musumeci (RNAS Yeovilton), allowing ET(ME) Dan Stockton (DARING) to return to his more natural role wide on the right. The tactical switch by the team Manager, Lt Cdr John Gordon (MWC), paid off with Brookes strength allowing him to ‘out muscle’ the London Centre Half. He played a looping ball for McEvoy to steer the ball past the advancing London Keeper and put the RN team 1-0 up after 64 minutes. The RN side continued to search for the second goal to effectively seal the victory with increasing attacking play from both fullbacks AET Stu Isaksen (SULTAN) and AET Nick Longstaffe (ARK ROYAL).
With the game looking as if it were heading to a 1-0 victory for the RN, a loose ball in midfield allowed possession to be given to London. With the benefit of fresh legs, they broke quickly and, with an overload, managed to head past the RN keeper in the 88th minute ensuring the game finished with honours even. (Final score 1-1).
There were a significant number of positives to draw from the performance and the squad head to Gibraltar for warm weather training (15 – 20 Feb) in good spirits and relish the prospect of games to come against the RAF (23 Feb) and the ARMY (2 Mar) at Portsmouth.