Inter Services Football: Can the Navy bounce back and beat the Army?
The Royal Navy will travel to Aldershot this week where their men's and women's teams will face the Army in what could be another exciting week of Inter Services football.
This week's fixtures will take place at the home of Aldershot Town FC, the EBB Stadium, with the women taking to the pitch on 21 March and the men will follow the day after on 22 March, with both matches kicking off at 19:00 UK time.
For the Navy women, this is their last chance to make an impression at this Inter Services after they lost 0-3 to the RAF at HMS Temeraire last week.
However, it was the Navy who came out on top the last time they met the Army at the Inter Services after they impressed with a 2-1 win over the reds last year at HMS Temeraire after goals from Jade Widdows and Rosie McDonnell, helping the Navy to secure second in the championship.
For the Army women, they will be looking to improve on their third-place finish last year and playing at home in Aldershot may be the boost they need to beat the Navy.
The Navy men find themselves in a slightly stronger position in comparison, after they drew 1-1 last week in a nail-biting fixture against the defending champions, the RAF, at Fratton Park.
The Army men last won the Inter Services in 2019 before there was a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.
Last year, the Army beat the Navy 2-1 in Yeovil with goals from Sam Atkinson and Scott McCarthy, but by that point, the RAF had already sewn up the Inter Services title.
This will be the Army's Jimmy Blair's first Inter Services in attendance as Head Coach.
After being appointed in 2021, Blair had to miss last year's campaign after he was deployed overseas with the infantry.
With the Navy's strong showing in Portsmouth last week against the RAF, this first fixture will be a real test for Blair's side as a win against the Navy on Wednesday could see them go into the lead before they face the RAF next week.
This year, all six matches from the men's and women's tournaments are being broadcast live on the Forces News YouTube channel.
You can also watch on catch-up via BFBS TV (for serving personnel only).
Find out more about how you can watch live and watch full replays here.
Key Players
Army Men - Scott McCarthy
A striker who made an impact in his debut Inter Services last year with a goal against the Navy in Yeovil last year. McCarthy won the Premier League U21s title with Middlesborough at Wembley.
Army Women - Anna Birtwhistle
Anna Birtwhistle is a player who has grown into a key member for the Army over recent years and a regular in the UK Armed Forces midfield for Karl Milgate. Anna Birtwhistle will be the Army captain this year.
Navy Men - Elliot Holmes
Elliot Holmes was the Navy's sole goal scorer at last week's fixture against the RAF at Fratton Park which ended in what could be a vital 1-1 draw for the Navy.
Navy Women - Ciara Boylan
An experienced player, Boylan's experience with the Navy and as part of the UKAF women's football team will be crucial for the women to go further in this year's tournament.
Did you know?
Players from the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force can go on and play for the UK Armed Forces Football team, also known as UKAF Football.
Formed in 1922 as the Combined Services Football Association, the team became known as UK Armed Forces Football in 2016 and works above the three Single Service Football Associations.
The men's team main competition is the annual Kentish Cup and the women's team, formed in 1999, plays in the Presidents Cup.
Started in 2016, the Presidents Cup is an annual fixture competed for between the Women’s UKAF team and Royal Netherlands Combined Services.
Kyle Dixon, BFBS Sport, says:
A return to one of the most historic sporting rivalries on the planet for matchweek two of the tournament.
Army v Navy is a fixture that catches the eye and with good reason – these two services rarely put on a bad show when they meet in the men's or women's competitions.
The Navy women will be hurting after last week's 3-0 loss to the RAF. Arguably, the Navy deserved more than that from a good first-half showing but a lack of ruthlessness up front cost them.
Meanwhile, the Army come into this tournament hoping that the strong UKAF trio of Anna Birtwhistle, Heather Mearns and Courtney Jones can dominate the midfield.
Remember – after the RAF's win last week, neither side will want a draw here.
The men's competition is well and truly in the balance.
The 1-1 draw between the champions from the RAF and the Royal Navy last week was a really impressive result for the Senior Service.
They were missing their skipper Dan Kerr and still went minutes away from beating the title holders. It remains to be seen whether Kerr will return in Aldershot but, even without him, the Navy look a real threat for the championship.
The Army will be licking their lips after the draw last week. A win will put them in pole position for the title and with players like Scott McCarthy, Sean Wooley and Sean Thomson all dangerous in front of goal, they will fancy their chances.
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