Army FA Women's Corps League Final Fixtures Day 2026

01/06/2026  -  5.30

Alex Alexandrou

The traditional end of season Women’s Corps League Final Day took place once again at Harborough Town FC on the 28th May, with four matches to be played. In the morning, the two matches in the Lily Parr League would be played with a lot of pride at stake for all four teams. Whilst in the afternoon, the final two matches in the Corporal Channing Day League would be played and there was much at a stake, as the Championship would be decided as two teams had a chance of winning it.

Welcome to Harborough Town FC! Source: Author's Collection

The Corporal Channing Day League One. This league is named in honour of Corporal Day of the Army Medical Services who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2012, in Afghanistan, during Operation Herrick. Corporal Day was a player of significant quality who had represented Northern Ireland at youth level. Each season, family and friends of Corporal Day attend this event and present the trophy to the league champions.

The Lily Parr League Two. This is named in honour of one of the most well-known and prolific early 20th Century female players who played for the world-famous Dick Kerr Ladies side, who despite the FA Ban, helped to raise and then maintain the profile of Women’s football not only within the United Kingdom but abroad through touring and playing exhibition matches in France and North America.

In the Lily Parr League matches, the Royal Artillery (RA) were taking on the Adjutant Generals Corps (AGC) and the Intelligence Corps and Infantry were pitting their wits against the Royal Corps of Logistics.

The Gunners, who a few weeks before had also lifted the Edwards Cup, had gone undefeated throughout the season, which meant they had also won the League. To acknowledge this feat, the AGC team gave the RA, a Guard of Honour prior to the match. It was first versus second and the AGC were in no mood to be rolled over.

The Royal Artillery Receive a Guard of Honour. Source: Author's Collection

The Gunners began the match on the front foot and were being urged forward by their Captain, Hollie Keating, leading to swift passages of passing football. However, it was the AGC that had the first clear chance following an error in the RA defence but they could not capitalise. However, on 31 minutes, the AGC breached the Gunners’ defence when Jamie Edwards shot low from the edge of the box with the ball nestling in the bottom right had corner. 1-0 to the AGC, which spurred the RA into action and they almost equalized immediately from the restart. They continued to bombard the AGC goal and virtually on the stroke of half-time, the effervescent Jess McAuley, went on a great run, cutting into the opposition box and slotting into the far corner. 1-1 at half-time and a fair reflection of how the first-half had panned out.

The RA started the second-half, determined to take the game to the AGC and they had the better of the opening exchanges. On 53 minutes and against the run of play, the AGC scored a second through Katie Ireland following a goalmouth scramble. The Gunners were now 2-1 down and in the position of having to avert their first defeat of the season. The response was almost immediate and on 55 minutes, it was Jess McAuley with her second goal of the match that evened up proceedings. The remainder of the match saw both teams try to win it with Jess McAuley unlucky not to grab a hat-trick with the AGC goalkeeper, Lucia Turner pulling off a wonderful save to deny the Gunners forward.

With the clock ticking towards the end of the match, the AGC, once again sought to spoil the party for the RA, with Jamie Edwards heading against the post and only desperate defending by the AGC defence ensured honours were even, as the match ended 2-2.

In the other match, the Royal Corps of Logistics gained their first league victory of the season, running out 3-1 winners against the Intelligence Corps and Infantry.

The morning matches set up the finale to the Corporal Channing Day League. As it stood, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) were in first place with 11 points with a goal difference of +5, whilst the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) were in second place with 10 points and a superior goal difference of +14.

The REME were pitted against the Royal Army Medical Services (RAMS), whilst the RLC were to take on the Royal Engineers (RE). It would prove to be a nervy afternoon with many twists and turns, as the RLC won their match 2-0, thus putting all the pressure on the REME.

The REME and the RAMS enter the field. Source: Author's Collection

The RAMS, much like their AGC counterparts in the morning, were in the mood to spoil the predicted REME party. The early exchanges were scrappy, as both teams were well set up and organised with very few clear-cut chances falling to either team. The REME defence was marshalled by their commanding Captain, Amber Marsh, who not only defended well but was an attacking threat with her passing.

The RAMS defence was breached in the 9th minute by the industrious Emma Hutton, who was put through and slotted home. 1-0 to the REME but the RAMS defence led by Hanna Tomlinson, was in no mood to acquiesce further and the Medics slowly but surely got back into the match and once the Engineers’ goalkeeper, Pippa Tybridy had to leave the field of play due to a hand injury, the RAMS team became further emboldened. REME’s experienced midfielder, Yvette Kemp, stepped up to begin dictating play and encouraging her team mates to get back into this must win match. This led to a wave of REME attacks that culminated in the Engineers’ Tyler Hutton hitting the post. Whilst at the other end, the Medics almost drew level through Delise Clifford, whose cross-come-shot hit the Engineers’ bar. The REME were relieved to go into the break, 1-0 up.

The Engineers knew that a second goal was essential, as the Medics had started the second-half with intent and looking for an equalizer. The REME attacked with purpose but spurned a number of opportunities to double the lead. Then with two-thirds of the match completed, the REME gave away a bizarre free-kick inside the penalty box. This was duly dispatched by the Medics’ Delise Clifford, who had been an attacking threat throughout the game, to make it 1-1. The Engineers were clearly taken aback by this reversal of fortunes and it took them a good few minutes to regain their composure, as the RAMS began to dominate through some thoughtful passages of play.

Following the obligatory weather drinks break, the REME reset and began searching for the elusive second goal with much vigour. There then followed a period of backs-to-the-wall defending by the Medics, as the Engineers relentlessly poured forward. Then the desired breakthrough came on 79 minutes, as REME’s Sam Pattinson fed Tam Thomasson, whose shot made it 2-1. This settled the Engineers’ nerves somewhat and despite a late scare, there was no addition to the score. REME were crowned Champions and ensured they had an Invincibles season, as like their RA counterparts they too had gone through their league campaign unbeaten.

The presentations then followed, with Army FA Women’s Trustee, Lieutenant Colonel Chloe Plimmer-Sayce thanking Harborough Town FC for hosting the matches, sponsors UBI and No Bounce Sport for their continued support of Army Women’s Football and the volunteers, match officials, players and coaches, for ensuring that not only the final match day was a success but for all their work throughout the season.

Lieutenant Colonel Chloe Plimmer-Sayce thanking Harborough Town FC officials. Source: Author's Collection

I had the honour of presenting the Lily Parr Trophy to RA Captain, Hollie Keating.

Alex Alexandrou Presents RA Captain, Hollie Keating with the Lily Parr Trophy. Source: Author's Collection

The late Corporal Channing Day’s best friend, WO1 Jody Cannadine, presented REME Captain, Amber Marsh with the League Trophy.

WO1 Jody Cannadine, presents REME Captain, Amber Marsh with the Corporal Channing Day League Trophy. Source: Author's Collection

For Amber Marsh, it would prove to be a momentous football week, as not only did she captain the REME to league victory but as the Army Football representative, presented the trophy at the Women's FA Cup Final between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at Wembley.

Biography

Alex Alexandrou is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Football and War Network