Sunday 6 th March saw the eleven a side football team from 487 (Kingstanding and Perry Barr) Sqn play their latest game in the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing football competition.

The Sqn’s last game was in December 2010 when they beat 8F 6-1 and they were then drawn against 2286 Sqn in the next round.

On what turned out to be a lovely sunny morning, the team set out to travel to the North Leamington School for the fixture. A total of sixteen cadets had arrived at the Sqn on the Sunday morning, a reflection on just how keen the cadets are to play for their Sqn.

Flt Lt Les Vile, OC 163 Sqn had kindly said he would referee the game and he got the proceedings underway with 2286 taking the kick-off. It was a tense-nervous opening few minutes with both sides venturing towards the goal, but both sides were falling foul of the off-side rule. However, the 487 Sqn team soon started to dominate the proceedings and after approx 10 minutes, Sgt Jack Kirby powered through the penalty box to knock home the first. Unfortunately for 2286 Sqn, the 487 Sqn forward line started to get their shooting boots on and by half-time, the score was 8-0 in favour of 487 Sqn.

Flt Lt Brendan O’Neill, OC 487 Sqn brought 3 substitutes on at half time, but the team kept their shape in the early part of the second half and they were soon scoring more goals.

At full time the final score was 17-0 to 487 Sqn. Special mention must be made to the forward line for the Sqn, Cdt Connor Chambers scored a total of 7 goals, Cdt Kenny Morris netted 4 goals, Cdt Hart scored a hat-trick and FS Joe Creamer scored two goals playing from midfield.

Flt Lt O’Neill commented “This was a great effort against an under-strength team from 2286. Some of their more senior players were away on their Junior Leaders Course and they were understandably weakened by their absence. That said, to have a total of 16 cadets turn up at 0900 on a Sunday morning wanting to play for our Sqn is tremendous. They showed a good understanding of playing good football, they kept their shape well and everybody knew which position they playing in, and they weren’t chasing the ball. We all now look forward to playing 479 Sqn in the Semi-Finals. I would like to finally thank Flt Lt Les Vile for agreeing to referee the game and to 2286 Sqn for arranging the fixture”.