Brentwood School 1st XI v Celebrity Team at Roots Hall, Southend

Listen to the interviews:

Ian Davies | Michael Geggus | Jon Reddin (pre match) | John Reddin (post match)

It was a battle for Brentwood boys versus big names as up and coming school players competed against football stars of yesteryear in a charity match at Roots Hall.

Former Southend United favourite and TV star Andy Ansah joined ex-Southend Manager/England U21 Coach and current Crystal Palace Manager Peter Taylor, West Ham legend Clive Allen, former Newcastle player Warren Barton, Tony Cottee (West Ham, Everton) and Rob Lee (Newcastle, West Ham). A host of Blues stars from seasons past were also playing including Justin Edinburgh, Paul Sansome, Danny Greaves, Garry Nelson and Bill Garner.

The Brentwood School First XI features three pupils who play in the Independent Schools' football team and several sons of well-known professional players.

The match was organised by teacher Mary-Ella Wennell, from Brentwood School (an independent day and boarding school) to raise money for a senior pupils' trip to South Africa during the summer. The pupils will undertake a community project in a Zulu village, organised by the Wilderness Foundation, and a 10-day trek encompassing both game reserves and the Drakensberg Mountains. "The trip provides our students with a fantastic opportunity to see at first hand how their fundraising can benefit a community, with regard to resources affecting education, sanitation, leisure and housing. They will also be able to experience a very close link with the natural world, forge strong relationships within their groups, and grow as individuals," Mary-Ella explained.

Teacher Nicola Tod added: "The fundraising, of which the pupils are heavily involved and this celebrity football match is a major part, is in order to raise a considerable amount for the community project. Part of the money will also be made available, if required, to assist students that would otherwise be unable to afford this opportunity."

Headmaster Ian Davies added: "I thank the celebrity players for giving their time so freely for this worthwhile cause, and I would also like to thank Mr Ron Martin, the Chairman and Owner of Southend United FC, for his hospitality and kindness for hosting this match."

Brentwood School 1st XI v Celebrity Team at Roots Hall, Southend

Match Report by Natalie Mead

Attendance 1225

Brentwood School came out at 7pm to roaring applause to warm up and then pose for their team photograph before continuing with their warm up until 7.35pm.

The Celebrity Team took to the pitch at 7.20pm for their team photograph. Warren Barton and Peter Taylor lead the warm up until 7.40pm during which time Clive Allen began his friendly banter with the crowd.

The Celebrities kicked off at 7.45 with Brentwood School playing right to left.

Brentwood School started the match on fire.

Josh Ruddock for Brentwood School made a cracking tackle on Clive Allen as the Celebrities attempted their first break after 10 minutes. Brentwood School had the majority of possession for the first quarter of an hour, the Celebrities then got into a steady flow of passing, only to be broken down again by Brentwood School.

The Celebrities found their flow again after 20 minutes but good and solid defending by Brentwood School and a superb save by keeper Christopher Boon stopped them in their tracks.

On the break Rob Lee for the Celebrities struck the ball from 25 yards out and found the back of the net on 25 minutes to put the celebrities ahead.

Clive Allen showed passion and this started to get the better of him when he was tackled by Richard Bray and retaliated by getting up and kneeing Bray in the thigh unseen by the referee.

A further string of good saves by Boon lead to a counter attack for Brentwood School and at 35 minutes Will Roeder equalised with a superb shot from inside the 18 yard box. Two minutes later Oliver Lee found the net for Brentwood School's second goal to put them 2-1 up.

Brentwood School continued to defend well and were putting the Celebrities under increasing pressure when Will Roeder scored his second goal and the third for Brentwood School. The crowd went ecstatic and Roeder received a yellow card, the first of the match, for his understandable celebrations, this was judged to be a harsh call by many, although the referee had warned Brentwood School about their elaborate celebrations on two previous occasions.

Half Time Score: Brentwood School 3 Celebrities 1

After only 4 minutes played in the second half, Brentwood School now playing left to right, Roeder got his hat-trick, 4-1 to Brentwood School!

The Celebrities then showed that once a footballer always a footballer, the passion was still there and the players were fired up.

A few minutes later an unfortunate handball by Colin Weafer resulted in a penalty for the Celebrities. Rob Lee stepped forward and put the ball past the keeper.

After only 15 minutes of the second half played Warren Barton scored for the Celebrities.

Alex Inglethorpe got the equaliser for the celebrities on 70 minutes, 4 all!

A quick free kick taken by Justin Edinburgh from the Celebrities to Inglethorpe resulted in him taking a dive in a vain attempt to win another penalty which was quite rightly denied by the ref.

77 minutes in and Brentwood School made another great break, with three players down and defending with all their might the Celebrities were ‘hanging on’ to their draw and Brentwood School could not find the net.

A half chance for Brentwood School 5 minutes from time after a great free kick from Richard Bray which he floated into the box and resulted in three attempts at goal, Brentwood School were unlucky not to score.

The last five minutes was end to end football with both sides showing determination and grit, not to mention keeping the crowd entertained with some great plays.

Full Time Score: Brentwood School 4 Celebrities 4.

4-4 after 90 minutes so a penalty shoot-out beckoned. Brentwood School took the first penalty; Bray stepped forward, hit the ball with great force but only found the post. Lee up next for the Celebrities, and scores. This was followed by a string of great penalties by Brentwood School’s Jennings, Burville and team captain Michael Geggus and the Celebrities Danny O’Shea, Danny Greaves and Clive Allen. A great strike by Brentwood School’s Paul Adair was saved by the Celebrities keeper Perry Suckling to end a fantastic match with the Celebrities winning the match on penalties 5-3.

Brentwood School wore their school colours of white shirt, blue shorts and white socks and the Celebrity XI wore a Newcastle United Strip donated by the team via Glenn Roeder.