Battle for base pride
Friendly foes find form at Richmond

By PTEs Kai Gray, Michael Allen and Greg Jones

Just a snapshot here of the serious action as a player from the 176 Air Dispatch Squadron (left) battles for possession with his opponent from RAAF Base Richmond.

A player from 176 Air Dispatch Squadron protects the ball from his RAAF Richmond opponent. Photos by CPL Matt Moore

A SOCCER match billed as a “friendly” soon became a matter of Service pride when an Air Force team from RAAF Base Richmond took on Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron recently.

The setting for this much-anticipated showdown was staged at the cricket oval that was converted to a soccer pitch at Richmond.

After Wing Commander Mullen wished the men from both sides good luck with a firm handshake, the game got under way.
Both squads started the first half strongly with little separating them in the battle for on-base pride.

It wasn’t until midway through the first half that Army opened its scoring account with a beautiful goal from Private Chad Gill.

A short time later the Air Force side, with some good fortune, struck back as a mix up in defence caused an own goal by PTE Adam Taylor from 176 AD SQN.

Constant pressure from the Army side resulted in a goal by Corporal Paul Fleming, making the score 2-1 at half time and setting the stage for an electric second half.

176 AD SQN dominated much of the play, but some aggressive defence by the Air Force led to a free kick being conceded just outside the 18-yard box.

CPL Fleming stepped up and kicked it over the wall and scored the third goal.

At 3-1, 176 AD SQN dominated the majority of the game play with odd counter-attacks that were unsuccessful from the Air Force side.

In a fine display of teamwork, 176 AD SQN again found the back of the net with a goal from Private Nick Hawkins.

Down 4-1, the Air Force side never gave up with countless attacking moves continuously bombarding the Army goal, but they could not penetrate.

With the game drawing to a close, PTE Gill again scored for 176 AD SQN to seal a convincing win for the Army side, 5-1.

CPL Dave Maidman was named player of match at presentations following the game.

It is hoped this game will become an annual event and a RAAF Richmond team can be raised from a combination of players from both teams.

.