BAFTA Los Angeles
BAFTA Los Angeles Soccer: Her Majesty's Armed Forces Pilgrims FC
19 September 10
BAFTA Los Angeles provides Her Majesty's Armed Forces a welcomed distraction as they take to the field to play a friendly game of Soccer.
The BAFTA Los Angeles Soccer team hosted a friendly game against the Pilgrims FC, a British Army team comprised of active members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces on a little R&R from the more dangerous parts of the world.
The game was played on the excellent home field of Cal State Dominguez Hills at the Home Depot Complex.
With BAFTA Los Angeles fielding a couple of guest players including singer Robbie Williams, Barry Venison (ex Liverpool, Newcastle, England player), and actor Santiago Cabrera, the Army lads had, by all accounts, a terrific day, ending up with a team photo on the Home Depot Center field and VIP-seats to watch David Beckham and the LA Galaxy.
The match itself was an excellent game of soccer and a tough but friendly contest. A very fit and conditioned Pilgrims FC came out fast and with the wind behind them, it was a frantic first twenty minutes as BAFTA Los Angeles were pushed back into their own half. But the defence held strong with Julian Stone and Barry Venison marshalling from the center, and Williams, Tim Martin and Matt Wiseman controlling the flanks.
In the second half, BAFTA Los Angeles stepped up a gear and began to threaten the Pilgrims' goal. Cabera then popped up to fire beautifully into the corner and, when Dean Jacobs slotted home a crafty free-kick, it looked like the lads were home and dry.
However, the Pilgrims didn't waver and when they grabbed a deserved goal back, it set up a tense final ten minutes in which Chris Howe, in the BAFTA goal, gave a sterling performance.
When the final whistle blew, BAFTA may have won the game, but there were no losers on this terrific day of soccer.
As the Pilgrims head back on active duty, we wish the Army lads nothing but the best and look forward to all getting together for a rematch on their next tour out here.
The game was generously sponsored by Activision, with generous support from LA Galaxy and Pom Wonderful.
