Sopbhan Davies reports that on a perfect October evening, the RAF took on West Midlands League TNS at RAF Cosford in their third friendly fixture of the season.
A 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in September had left the team hungry to get back to winning ways.
Immediate RAF pressure caused problems for the The New Saints’ defence with a succession of throws and eventually a corner being won but the creative set piece was well cleared.
Skipper McIntosh had the beating of her full back all night and received the ball out wide after good quick passing through the thirds. Driving infield on her favoured right foot, she created a yard of space for the shot only for TNS to smother it and clear the danger. The RAF pressed high and the only way out for TNS way the long ball over the top for their pacey centre-forward, who got in behind a few times during the match without really causing keeper Clark much work.
The RAF looked dangerous every time the ball was played into player of the match Haywood in the lone striker role. She linked play superbly and TNS struggled to cope with the pressure, however the RAF couldn’t take their chances throughout the first half. 0-0 at half time.
The second half saw TNS make seven changes but the RAF were still the dominant team with Davies and McKenzie running midfield, and McIntosh and Martin thriving off balls out wide.
On 55 minutes the RAF had the ball in the back of the net after a sweeping move from back to front – McIntosh beat her full back on the outside and crossed a low hard ball in which Martin put in at the back post, only to see the goal ruled out for off side.
Moments later, after winning the ball back high up the pitch, the RAF win a corner and a superb delivery was headed inches over by Howes. The next phase of play saw Wylie and McIntosh link up on the right with a driven ball delivered across the face of goal, Martin could only slide in and toe-poke it inches wide.
With the RAF looking like the only team likely to score, TNS took a quick throw and although the forward’s touch invited Clark to come and take, a slip by the keeper left her stranded and TNS took the lead against the run of play on 68 minutes.
RAF sub, Scotty on for debutant McKenzie, the RAF continued to look dangerous every time they went forward but simply could not convert. With the legs tiring and TNS still fresh after their changes, the RAF were caught short from another TNS throw on 78 minutes and somehow end up three on three at the back and TNS made it count with a cool finish.
RAF sub and debutant Mester replaces Martin on 80 minutes and the RAF continued to create chance after chance. Haywood and Cassin linked well and found McIntosh, who drove into the area, one on one with the keeper, to score in the 84th minute.
TNS dropped deeper trying to hold on to the lead and a great delivery from Mester saw Haywood’s goal-bound header superbly saved by the keeper for a corner. This again saw Mester find Haywood for the shot which the keeper held. The final few seconds saw TNS professionally keep the ball to count down the clock.
Full time: 1-2, a superb performance by the RAF Ladies Representative Team, but they just couldn’t take their chances.
The RAF Ladies next fixture is away to Welsh Colleges at the University of South Wales Sports Park on 26th November, 3pm kick-off.
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