Pte Joe Moormann, DJFHQ, dodges Air Force players, showing the fancy footwork that helped Army close the match 30 seconds from the final whistle.

Pte Steve Begbie goes in for the tackle. Photos provided by Capt Rod Devetak, 7 Bde

The victorious team, back row from left: Sgt Tom Spiranac, Pte Joe Moormann, Capt Rod Devetak, Pte Steve Begbie and Lt Adrian Young. Front row from left: Cpl Dan Mckennairey, Spr Richard Poole, Cpl Rod Laws, Capt Adam Strickland, Cfn Sean Lane, Pte Robert Keenan, Cpl John Humphries and Sig Michael Luken.

By Capt Rod Devetak

WHAT looked set to be an Air Force flogging of Army in the South East Queensland Interservice Soccer match, turned around in the second half for the soldiers to win 4-3.

The dry, hot conditions weren’t a hindrance to what proved to be a very exciting game between two evenly matched teams.

The game got off to a flying start, with Air Force scoring two early goals on breakaways through LAC Craig Murphy and LAC Adam Humrich.

Army struck back halfway through the first half with a goal by Cpl Rod Laws, set up by some nice passes from the midfield and the wing.

Just when the Army looked like getting back into the match the Air Force picked up its game and through Cpl Sam Moore extended its lead with some nice one-on-one work and a clean finish, going to half time 3-1

Army players needed to score quickly if they were to remain in the match and that’s exactly what happened.

Sig Michael Luken pounced to bring Army within one goal of Air Force, followed five minutes later by another to level the scores.

With 30 minutes to go it was anybody’s game, as neither team dominated the final period.

Just when the game looked set to head into extra time, Army received a free kick about 35m out.

Pte Robert Keenan struck it well and looked to have the keeper beaten as the ball dipped over his head, but then it struck the cross bar and fell back into play.

This ignited a frantic chase which left Spr Richard Poole to head the ball into the goals to win the hotly contested match for Army with 30 seconds left.

The player of the match went to Army’s Pte Steve Begbie who had a solid game in the middle of the park.

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