Wednesday 8th September 2021, Kick-off 17:00
Friendly
Military Stadium, Aldershot
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Attendance: 35 (estimate)
I have long since wanted to visit the Military Stadium, but visiting is usually tricky for those working standard office hours and are not local, with games almost always played midweek and often during the day. So when I saw this game advertised a few days previously, and having this week off work, I planned my visit to what promised to be a rather unique stadium and setting.
The Military Stadium is about a half hour walk northwards from Aldershot train station, and is situated amongst a large expanse of The Army's unsurprisingly neat and tidy various sporting facilities in Aldershot Garrison. Access is gained in one corner of the ground and by far the standout feature is the large grandstand stretching along one length and with a seating capacity of over a thousand. It is very well maintained and in immaculate condition, and being able to sit several rows up is certainly advantageous as there is a running track present around the football pitch, as the Military Stadium is also home to the Army’s Athletic Association, as well as The Army FA's football fixtures. A white building behind the end closest to the entrance houses the changing rooms along with a modern and spacious bar area, whilst along the remaining length and end, some grass banks and various army buildings beyond the perimeter fence make an attractive background, as do the floodlight pylons of a pleasingly old fashioned style.
The UK Armed Forces representative team draws its players from the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Today's fixture was arranged in preparation for the Kentish Cup, a triangular tournament also involving the French and Dutch Forces, with this year's edition due to take place in November. The UK have won a record breaking four consecutive tournaments up to 2019, with last year's tournament inevitably cancelled due to Covid. Loughborough University field a side in the United Counties League Premier Division North, although the side fielded today would be a development side.
On a humid early evening which started in hot sunshine that gave way to cloudy conditions in the second half, this was quite an even game for the opening 38 minutes, but then the Armed Forces really put the visitors to the sword in a devastating five minute spell, scoring three times. First, on 38 minutes, the ball was launched from his own penalty area by a Forces defender for Gibraltar international Jake Gosling to run onto, letting the ball dropped over his head before striking an exquisite chip from outside the area over the keeper and into the net. They doubled their lead on 40 minutes when a loose Loughborough pass was intercepted, and the Forces player ran down the right before firing a cross shot from a fairly tight angle across the keeper and in off the inside of the far post. And they made it three on 43 minutes when a free kick from just close to the outer corner of the penalty area was rolled low into the path of a team mate, who tapped the ball into the net, deflecting off the keeper's boot en route.
So a three goal burst from the Forces put the outcome pretty much beyond doubt, and in the second half they played some really good football, putting good pressure on the ball, forcing mistakes and interceptions, and always seeming to be quicker to react. But their fourth did not come until the 76th minute when a corner was looped under the crossbar, the Loughborough keeper couldn't gather the ball, which was tapped home from close range. They came close to a fifth four minutes later, when a Forces player bundled his way to get to the ball before a defender to send the ball onto the outside of the left hand post and behind. To Loughborough's credit, they did keep battling away and came close to grabbing a consolation goal in the dying embers, first a header forced a good parry from the keeper and then a glancing headed dropped just wide of the far post.
Video highlights of this match can be viewed by clicking here
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