WO2 Steve McNaughton contests with a RAAF player during Army's 1-nil defeat of the fly boys to win the ADF Soccer Carnival. The Army women's team had a mighty victory against the RAAF 6-0 Photos by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper

Victory is ours
Army is undefeated at ADF titles

By Andrew Stackpool
REAL Army ticker, grit, determination, fitness and skill came together for Army's soccer players between November 3 and 5.

In hard-fought games against Navy and RAAF, they emerged champions of the ADF Soccer Nationals at Randwick Barracks.

The women's final scores were 3-2 against Navy, 6-0 against RAAF.

The men were 4-0 against Navy, 1-0 against RAAF.

Described as a fantastic result for the women, the match against Navy commenced with an early goal by Navy. Army came back hard and knocked in three goals in short order. The balance was threatened just before the end of the half when a determined Navy effort saw their second goal slammed home.

At the start of the second half, both teams hit the field running. The play was hard but Army hung in for a goalless half that saw them victorious.

The second game against RAAF gave them the championship. Again Army faced a determined and skilful opposition but played hard and fast to produce the final result.

Their results are the more outstanding as some of them had not played much soccer before.

According to coach Cpl Garth Morrison, they had carried out a rigorous training program, which paid dividends.

"They concentrated on the technical work. This produced great teamwork," he said.

"By the end of the comp. I had a great bunch of girls who played hard and supported each other."

The team had also earlier played two matches against Police and civilian teams that got the women used to each other.

"But it was their determination and grit, their real Army ticker that gave them the edge," he said.

The men's first game against RAAF was a cliff-hanger from the first whistle. Two very determined foes kept the pressure on each other in a fast, swinging game. The first half ended goalless and the second looked destined to follow until a late break and fast Army exploitation saw them through for the goal.

Pte Paul Fleming, 176 AD Sqn, was the goal shooter.

RAAF came back strongly but Army managed to hold them until the final whistle.

Pte Michael Prentice, 5/7RAR, was nominated as Army's player of the match.

Spectators expecting more fireworks during the match against Navy were not to be disappointed.

Both teams hit the field running and again quarter was neither asked nor given. Army had the greater challenge - a championship to defend.

Army was hungry for the ball and dominated play. Navy grit and determination was not enough as Army capitalised on every chance. The result was three fast goals in the first half, consolidated by a fourth in the second.

There was no question as to the man of the match. Pte Matthew Barker, from 2HSB scored a hat trick with three of the four goals.

Again, while fitness and skill played a major role in the men's success, the real edge came from weekend games against the visiting REAFC team and a civilian side.

.