Air Force and Army opponents fight for possession during the final match of the NSW Interservice Soccer championships at Randwick Barracks. Air Force triumphed 6-0 to wrestle the trophy from Army's grasp. Photo by Bill Cunneen

TWELVE goals in two games and a dominant display against the defending champions earned a talented Air Force side the New South Wales Interservice Soccer (NSWISS) trophy.

Air Force never looked threatened in the NSWISS championships, held at Randwick Barracks, as it cruised past Navy and trophy holders Army to walk away emphatic winners.

Air Force began its campaign with a crushing 6-2 win over Navy on July 31.

When Army lost 1-0 to Navy the following day, it set up an intriguing final game between Air Force and Army on August 2.

If Army won, it would have left all three teams with a win apiece and the trophy would have remained theirs.

The task for Air Force was clear-cut. Only a win would suffice.

After a very even first half, the outcome of the tournament remained in the balance with Air Force leading by a solitary goal at the break.

But it was one-way traffic for the next 45 minutes as the gifted Air Force players began to display the form that had helped them trounce Navy.

Five second-half goals put the results beyond doubt and the 6-0 score line accurately reflected Air Force's dominance.

"I'm very happy and very proud of them," Air Force coach Corporal Garry Braverstock enthused.
"We knew Army would come at us because they had to hang on to the trophy.

"We played sensationally in the second half, the passing was crisp, the running off the ball was good and as for the finishing, five goals in a half of football, you can't ask for much more than that."

In an all-round team performance, CPL Braverstock nominated Leading Aircraftman Brad Winkler as his side's standout player, closely followed by Leading Aircraftman Geoff Gillard and Corporal Scott Keegan.

CPL Braverstock said he hoped many of his players would be selected in the national representative side later in the year.

A more subdued Army coach, Warrant Officer 2 Blaise Fagan, was happy with his team's effort but conceded Air Force had too much skill.

"The Air Force probably had 14 or 15 good players, but unfortunately we were a bit short of cattle this year," he said.

"Several Air Force players play together in civilian competitions and none of ours do - and today it showed."

By Ben Caddaye