The Royal Navy’s senior men’s team sent a clear message in their Inter Services title defence, delivering a resounding 3-0 victory over the Royal Air Force at Fratton Park.
In front of a spirited home crowd at Portsmouth FC’s historic ground, the Navy entered the match as defending champions for the first time since 2017, and they played like a side determined to keep it that way.
Before the action kicked off, a moment of reflection was held as players, coaches, and spectators observed a minute’s silence in honour of Group Captain John Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, who passed away on Monday at the age of 105.
A First Half of Tactical Brilliance
From the first whistle, the Navy looked the stronger side, controlling possession and applying relentless pressure. But it was the RAF who nearly landed the first blow, as captain Michael Campbell found space to test Navy goalkeeper Loz McCormick. However, McCormick reacted swiftly, deflecting the shot with his right foot to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough came courtesy of a pinpoint free kick from Manny Roche. His perfectly weighted cross found Jack Wright, whose header sent the ball crashing into the net, sending the home supporters into a frenzy.
With their tails up, the Navy continued to press, and McCormick’s composure between the posts ensured their slender lead remained intact going into half-time.
Sealing the Deal in Style
The second half saw the Navy pick up where they left off, energised by the roar of the Fratton Park crowd. Sanchez Jansz-Baker thought he had doubled the lead, only to be denied by an offside flag in a moment of frustration.
But the breakthrough was inevitable. With ten minutes to go, Jake Walker capitalised on space at the edge of the box, unleashing a thunderous strike to make it 2-0. The RAF barely had time to react before substitute Dan Greet drove the final nail in the coffin, slotting home a third goal to cap off a dominant performance.
The Road to the Title Decider
At full-time, the Navy stood victorious with a commanding 3-0 win, taking a crucial step in their bid to retain the Inter Services title.
Next up? A thrilling showdown against the British Army in Uxbridge, where the stakes couldn’t be higher. One thing is certain, the Senior Service has no intention of surrendering their crown without a fight.
