The All Stars XI were defeated in the charity football match against Steve Portway’s XI 5-3 all in aid of Royal Brompton Hospital, which took place at the Brentwood Centre Arena.
The All Stars side were made up of ex-professional footballers and celebrities including former Burnley midfielder Glen Little, former West Ham man Mark Phillips and TV Presenter Jeff Brazier.
A great crowd turned out to watch the match to raise money for a good cause, as well as enjoying the day with face painting, music and entertainment for all the family to get involved in.
Portway’s XI (The Reds) started well with the majority of possession but the All Stars found their feet with an early effort from Steve Slade.
The first real opportunity of the match came from a corner, as former Brentford and Leyton Orient midfielder Scott Canham put the ball on a plate for the previous Leyton Orient youngster Brazier but headed over.
The reds opened the scoring 28 minutes in, as a killer ball was put into Lloyd Prue who went round the keeper and tucked in for the lead.
However, the All Stars struck back immediately from the kick-off, as they went forward and Dean Maskell’s strike flew in from outside the box to stun the reds for the equaliser.
The ex-pros won a spot kick 37 minutes in, as Maskell was brought down inside the box which the Brentwood Goalkeeping coach and referee Gary Waplington pointed to the spot. Former Brentwood Town manager and Shrewsbury Town player Carl Griffiths stepped up but his low shot was superbly saved by Gary Sevin.
In the second half, the game stayed level until just before the hour mark, as Mitch Prue whipped in the corner for Lloyd to grab his second of the day.
Portway then came off the bench to provide Prue’ hat-trick, with a perfectly timed through ball for him to give the keeper the eyes and at the second attempt tapped it in for 3-1.
The former Ebbsfleet United striker, then grabbed the reds fourth with a wonder strike out wide from 30-yards which caught Dan Muson off guard – to cue the mikey taking celebration.
Portway then went and grabbed his brace five minutes later, as he was put through on goal took it past the keeper and stopped it on the line to head it in on his knees!
The All Stars went in search of restoring some pride and did, as Griffiths was bundled to the floor by Sevin. Griffiths decided not to take a second penalty, so Little converted a fine finish to draw the score back to 5-2 with six minutes remaining.
Glen Little striding forward from the back for the All Stars
The resurgence from the All Stars brought the score back to respectful, after a lovely overhead kick into the far corner from Maskell – for his brace.
Griffiths had the final chance with seconds remaining to bring the score line within one, with a free-kick put into the six-yard box but his header was way wood with just Sevin to beat.
Which completed a brilliant afternoon full of fun, laughs and lots of money raised for a great cause at Royal Brompton Hospital – which we will update you on a total soon.
Both sides then finished with a penalty shootout
All Stars Team: 1 Dan Muson, 2 Jeff Brazier, 4 Mahmoud Kadi, 5 Gary Grant, 7 Glen Little, 8 Bert Truby, 9 Carl Griffiths, 10 Steve Slade, 11 Dean Maskell, 12 Reece Hewitt, 17 Jon Willis, 19 Scott Canham, 20 Dom Atkins
Steve Portway XI Team: 1 Gary Sevin, 2 Alex Rungare, 8 Steve Saunders, 4 Danny Mack, 7 Justin Wiseman, 19 Billy Winter, Gary Skerniff, Mitch Prue, Llyodd Prue, Jim Prue, 10 Jack Roule, 5 Mark Churchill, Kevin Smith, Charlie Portway Davie Knighton
Interview with Jeff Brazier:
Interview with Steve Portway:
