Page 38 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Football
WO2 L Mason
The season began with loose optimism, as a new manager came
in to take the reins with the view
to achieve something that had not happened for nearly a century.
1 MERCIAN’s football team started off with the chance of winning 3 trophies; the Army Major Units, Minor Units, and the League Trophy.
It all started with a 3-2 win on
a windy night in September on Tidworth Garrison’s 4G pitch, with
a steady and classic 4-4-2. WO2 Mason sent his side out with a clear objective; play football, win and start to build a side which he can take
all the way in the cup competitions. Cpl Podmore provided the assists and Capt Phenix-Norman started his charge to the still yet to be awarded golden boot...
Some more notable wins included heavy victories over 5 Rifles, The Household Cavalry and 4 Military Intelligence, who
several high quality saves from close range, keeping the game at 0-0 with 5 minutes to go. Pte Smith, not the real Smudge, stealing the limelight by scoring in the dying moments to win the game and take 1 MERCIAN to the quarter final and an uncertain fixture against 3 SCOTS in Edinburgh.
With the backing of BHQ, the team spent several days
Spot the keeper
sleet made for difficult conditions. Without missing a step, the side came back from 1-0 down, to win 3-2 and take us onto a final showdown with 4 RLC.
With some fantastic backroom staff work from Cpl McKeown and WO2 Mason the league run continued, however, due to some poor administration from other elements across the Army, the team ended with a third-place finish due to unplayed games. This brought a disappointing end to the season, unbeaten and yet unfulfilled.
With 1 MERCIAN in the Army Major Units Final for the first time in 100 years, a week of hard training under WO2 Mason and his team ensured the side would be ready for the big game in Aldershot.
A strong following from the Battalion arrived, with chants pre-rehearsed and led by the
famous 1 MERCIAN fan club.
After a strong start, the side went behind on two occasions, coming back to 2-2 going into the final 10 minutes. An unfortunate end to the game witnessed the side concede
in the final few minutes, bitterly disappointing both players and supporters with a 3-2 loss. However, the pride and passion on display from all who represented 1 MERCIAN that day defined what it is to be a part of this Regiment and all could walk away proud of their achievements.
As it stands going forward, the future looks incredibly bright with the arrival of numerous excellent players from 2 MERCIAN due to the Regimental amalgamation. Another cup run and league title look like almost certainties at this point.
all faced what was
becoming a well-oiled
machine led by Cpl
Smith, leading the
way with motivational
speeches and high
quality set piece
delivery, for the most
part. A few more
victories came over the
32 Engineer Regiment
in the Army Major Unit
Cup, taking the side to
an away game against
29 Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) in the round of the last 16.
A difficult and physical tie against 29 RLC witnessed one of the finest goalkeeping performances of the modern era. Cpl Noone produced
‘training’ in Edinburgh.
Lt Wass displayed his fine and robust technical skills, providing a full YouTube feed for the Battalion to support
their side. A tight game finished 2-2 and needed penalties to settle it. Fortunately, 1 MERCIAN came out on top and led the classic shoutout-style celebration.
The heavy travel continued. From Edinburgh, the
side now travelled to Catterick to face 2 Yorks. The weather did not disappoint, as Mr Wass now stood atop a sunk-in 6-seater to provide another video feed, the snow and
A difficult and physical tie against 29 RLC witnessed one of the finest goalkeeping performances of the modern era
More to come in ‘23!
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THE MERCIAN EAGLE