Page 31 - QARANC Vol 17 No 2 2019

The Gazette QARANC Association 29
were the best law enforcement team in the country and had recently won the National Cup. In turn the AMS were forced to step their game up in what proved to be a fiercely fought match. The ability to pick players from a pool of 50,000 law enforcement officers was apparent, with the NYPD starting the game extremely confidently. Demonstrating strong ball control, the ability to recycle possession and a willingness to press as a team, the midfield trio of Clark, Fisher and Hallsy were forced to work extremely hard in order to protect the AMS back four and retain possession. After a frantically paced 45 minutes and two world class saves from captain Mike Brewer, the mighty AMS went into half time slightly under the cosh drawing 0-0. A calm and inspiring team talk from the management duo of Bamford and Hiley was reminiscent of the Fergie and McLaren team talk given in ’99, and the AMS went on to start the second half strongly. A well-disciplined shape off the ball, die hard defending from Titcombe and Callum ‘Sandy’ Sanderson covering every blade of grass meant the NYPD never really looked like scoring. However, despite having very little to do, veteran keeper Daz Rendell was called into action pulling out an unbelievable save to keep the match 0-0. After enjoying a strong spell of possession, the AMS earned themselves a corner. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Zimmerman steps up and whips in a wicked ball to the back post. Clifford manages to lose his marker, leaps like a salmon, and smashes the ball past the keeper so hard he almost breaks the net. The AMS go 1-0 up and send the crowd into ecstasy. Nige and Andy’s Barmy Army find their rhythm and soak up NYPD pressure with a good spell of possession. Five minutes later they find themselves lined up in the box waiting for another Zimmerman corner. Another sublime set piece delivery manages to find Fish ‘Gump’, who makes no mistake and laces the ball into the top corner. 2-0 AMS and the final whistle blows. After a debrief and a cool down, the AMS squad celebrate their victory by finding a bar downtown to sit back, relax and watch the Masters. A few holes in one and some world class putting brings a perfect end to the day.
Another impressive display from Nige and Andy’s Orange Army meant they were given the fourth day off to rest and recuperate for the final fixture. In
The Orange Army on parade...
order to loosen off the legs and recover, many of the squad decide to hire bikes and explore the city on wheels. This proved to be popular with many of the players, and by the end of the fourth day the AMS were able to add Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, the Hudson River and the tranquillity of Central Park to their impressive list of sights visited.
The final day began with the AMS squad meeting in Central Park for a flexibility and mobility session. There was considerable interest from many New Yorkers in the Park, including sunbathers who stripped down, laid back and watched the AMS prepare for their match against the New Jersey Blue. Consisting of the best players from the Emergency Services in the state of New Jersey, the AMS went into the final fixture confident they would go home with a 100% record. Consequently, the boys in Orange wasted no time in taking the game to the opposition. Although the first half finished 0-0, it was clear to see the New Jersey Blue couldn’t deal with the authority stamped by the midfield and the physicality displayed by Reeves on the right. The AMS started the second half strongly and after 10 minutes took the lead through a looping Gaz Innes header. Long periods of possession and rigid line from the back four meant the opposition rarely threatened the AMS goal. However, an AMS defensive mix up with five minutes to go allowed New Jersey Blue to equalise sending
Flexibility and mobility training in Central Park
the game to penalties. One of the worst penalty shoot outs in the history of the game meant the AMS ran out 2-0 winners, with Gaz Inness scoring the winning penalty. Inness would later find out that evening that he won both the donkey and players player of the tour, with Joe Blacklock winning most improved player and Clark the enforcer picking up manager’s player. However, while there were awards and accolades for the stand out performers on the pitch, the biggest cheer went to Captain Andy Hiley for his pivotal role in organising the tour. Without his hard work, dedication and ability to put up with a squad of 18 AMS players, the AMS men’s football team would not have been able to teach the US law enforcement how to play football, and in the process create memories to last a life time!
Lieutenant Andrew Tobin 3 Medical Regiment