An ADF player takes flight in an attempt to gain possesion from a UK player. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper

UK ginger beers defeated

By Andrew Stackpool
SUCH was the comprehensive nature of the ADF soccer team's 3-1 victory over the touring British Royal Engineers that three players had to be nominated as players of the match.

Goalkeeper LAC Andrew Hall, 382 ECSS RAAF, midfielder LAC Geoff Gillard, 3 Sqn, and midfielder Pte Sam Clarke, 5/7RAR, all received the honour.

The match was held on a carpet pitch at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, November 7 at the conclusion of the ADF Soccer Nationals.

The victory was also a fitting revenge for the Army members, who had been beaten by the Brits 2-0 on October 23, 24 hours after the team arrived in Australia.

Third on their home ladder, the REs, unstoppable there for the past three years had also defeated a NSW Police team 2-0 and an ADF team in Queensland 9-0.

The first half seemed initially to be going the sappers' way. Confident, aggressive, skilful, hard as nails and very quick, while the ADF team, who had only got together the day before, following five hard days of soccer, were still putting together a few play combinations.

The UK team took full advantage of the Aussies' dilemma and quickly put the first point on the board.

Despite their fatigue, the ADF side's determination paid off. They started to dominate the midfield and just before the whistle Cpl Paul Fleming (striker) was fouled in the box.

LAC Geoff Gillard stepped up and booted the equaliser.

The second half saw a revitalised ADF. They dominated play and kept the ball in their half for most of the time. The visitors fought hard but a couple of good set plays gave ADF the points on the board they needed.

The first came at about the hour mark when Cpl Paul Fleming got the ball after a long throw in. Controlling it on his chest he volleyed past the keeper from 8m out. Then at the 80-minute mark Cpl Fleming, using his speed to get away from his marker, squared the ball to the far post where LAC Gillard tapped it in from 6m.

ADF Soccer Association President Capt Tony Bell was unstinting in his praise for the team.

"The guys did an excellent job. Their team spirit and the way they stood up after a tiring week really showed through in the long run," he said.

"They were pretty tired out, but their camaraderie carried them through."

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