Page 38 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

After a tight start to the game with both sides having good spells of possession,
the deadlock was broken when in the 6th minute the ball was played forward into the box where Pte Lewis Kennedy guided the ball into the net to put the MERCIANS in front.
In the 15th minute the MERCIANS doubled their lead after a long throw
from Pte Zak Northledge was met with a towering header from Cpl Ashley Rowley- Johnson. 5 Rifles now really struggling
to get out from under the cosh when the MERCIANS added to their lead almost instantly with a goal from LCpl Mkandawire.
The MERCIANS were completely dominant and scored again in the 24th minute with a goal through Pte Ryan Jordan to put the MERCIANS into a commanding 4-0 lead up until the break.
After half time 5 RIFLES tried hard to formulate a response and the MERCIAN team defended resolutely before the 54th minute. The MERCIANS broke and Cpl Ryan Scarrott was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area. CSgt Will Saunders scored the resulting penalty kick to make
it five.
5 Rifles continued to battle valiantly to
try and find a way back into the game but were caught on the break; this time it was a family affair with Pte Lewis Kennedy getting into a good area and crossing the ball to his brother LCpl Paul Kennedy to make it 6-0. A proud moment for their dad Liam who is also the Quartermaster.
The game finished at 6-0 with a truly impressive performance from 1 MERCIAN against a gutsy 5 RIFLES team who on the day couldn’t cope with the fluency of the MERCIANS.
The victory brings a first major units’ victory for the Mercian Regiment since
its formation in 2007; a truly landmark achievement watched on by the entire battalion in Bulford – An example of Infantry football and Army Sport at its finest.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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