A fighting chance
Soldiers within sight of the WA title

Army players (red and white) get into the thick of it against Navy to decide the WA Interservice soccer championships.Photo by AB Joanne Edwards, NIU-W

By LS Jason Hutchinson

ARMY’S hopes were raised but dashed after two quick consecutive goals couldn’t secure a comeback in the final of the WA Interservice Soccer Competition last month.

The soldiers and sailors presented an each-way bet going into the final of the competition, hosted by HMAS Stirling from September 8-10, after both services walked over Air Force in the first two days of play.

In the first game Navy and Air Force were locked at 2-2 by half time. Then Navy put the ball in the back of the net three times in the second half to win 5-2.

On the second day of competition Army played a testing match against Air Force, with the weather hampering play. A strong wind helped the Army team lead 3-0 at half time. Air Force went into the half-time break confident that they had the wind on their side for the second half. But when Army scored early against the breeze, and Air Force couldn’t find the net after relentless attempts, it clearly wasn’t going to be RAAF’s year. Air Force was gallant in defeat, Army won 6-2.

For the first time in a long time Air Force would not be in the running for the trophy.

With similar scores against Air Force, it was set to be an epic battle between Army and Navy.

The final day of competition was marked by outstanding weather conditions, despite the healthy breeze.

Navy scored a couple of times early in the first half and took a stranglehold on the match. But two quick consecutive goals by Army brought the game back in the balance at 3-2.

Navy scored just on half time and could breathe a little easier during the half-time break.

In the second half Navy came out strong and scored twice before the Army team really knew what had happened.
Trailing 6-2 proved too great a challenge for the Army to face and although both teams added to their score before the final whistle, the Navy came out victorious with a final score of 9-3.