The first half was fairly even with both sides playing attractive football on the wide open spaces of the large Military Stadium pitch. Our hosts had the more attempts on goal through their ever dangerous attacking trio of Kelly Aldridge, Zoe Stewart and Olivia Dixon. The former 2 both had several attempts, which were just wide of the target while Lara Heather, who was making her debut, went close for us with an angled high shot.

The Army took the lead 8 minutes before the interval. Lizzie Rose did well to push out a shot from a corner. However, the ball ran loose and was picked up by skipper, Krissy Wright, who hit it over the crowded goalmouth into the top corner of our net.

We came close to equalising through another debutant, Hana Lalani, who embarked on a solo raid and cut in but had her shot turned around the post.

Half time score: Army 1 Middlesex 0

We took up the attack from the start of the second half and looked the better team for most of that half.

In the opening minutes, Helen Capewell, who was also making her first appearance, sent a glancing header from Ashley Cheatley’s cross just wide of the far post.

Timely defensive interceptions by Jo Torr and Anya Kinnane prevented the Army increasing their lead.

We equalised after 72 minutes. Lavana Neufville’s cross was headed on by Ashley Cheatley to Helen Capewell, who hammered the ball home.

Almost immediately afterwards, we went close to taking the lead through Ashley, who made a penetrating run through the middle but just cleared the cross bar with her finishing shot.

Kelly Aldridge restored the Army’s lead in the 80^th minute, when she collected a short pass and slipped the ball under Lizzie Rose from close range.

We pressured the Army defence in the closing minutes but despite going close a couple of times and participating in a prolonged goalmouth scramble, could not force the ball home.

Final score: Army 2 Middlesex 1

After the match Chelsea Orridge-Golding, a regular in recent seasons, was presented with her Middlesex cap.

Our thanks are given to the Army FA for their superb hospitality.

ARMY

Gnr Jessica Horsley (RA), LCpl Terri Trowbridge (AGC), Lt Emma Askins (REME),  SSgt Juliette Brown (RLC), WO2 Krissy Wright (AGC RMP) (capt), LCpl Jess Treharne (RLC), Cpl Zoe Stewart (AGC SPS), Cpl Hayley Sloan (AMS), Cfn Kelly Aldridge (REME), LCpl Olivia Dixon (AGC SPS), Sig Laura Murray (R Sigs).

Substitutes: LCpl Jen Keane (RLC), Cpl Nicola O’Donnell (AGC RMP), Cfn Rachel Gwilliam (REME), Cpl Lucy Foreman (AGC RMP) and Pte Ashleigh Rea (AGC SPS).   Repeat substitutions are used in this competition.

Head Coach: WO2 Mags McAteer   Coach: Sig Bex Wells   Facilities Manager: SSgt Helen Lee   GK Coach; WO2 Stew Grigor-Ramsey.

MIDDLESEX

Lizzie Rose (Denham United), Anya Kinnane (London Bees Development), Chelsea Orridge-Golding (Tottenham Hotspur), Zemeka Clarke, Jo Torr (capt) (Denham United), Rachel Blackburn (Denham United), Lara Heather (London Bees Dev), Alissa Down (Denham United) , Ashley Cheatley (Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Gemma Aldeen (London Bees Dev) and Lavana Neufville (Ashford Town (Middlesex)).

Substitutes: Hana Lalani (London Bees Development) and Helen Capewell (Denham United).

Manager: Craig Nicholson     Physio: Barbara Bivens

Referee: Major Harry Felstead   Asssistant Referees: Capt Dicky Halloran and LCpl Chris Smith (all Army FA)

Photos from the game were taken by Chris Benn and can be found here.

Jim Taylor