Good Friday, Monmouth Town Football Club and the good weather set the scene for the third annual St David's Hospice Charity Match between Wales Dads and England Dads.All the dads have children of various ages playing football in Monmouth Town's academy and between them had raised £2,350 for the charity before the match began.With the burgers sizzling on the barbecue, beverages being served at the bar and children playing on the bouncy castle, referee James Blake blew the whistle to begin proceedings.Before the match began, a minute's silence was respected to remember and celebrate the life that we shared with David Cummins, who sadly passed away recently.David was a member of the football club and a coach to some of the children; he will be sadly missed but never forgotten.On the referee's second whistle, Wales captain Matt Meredith met England captain Mark Morris in the centre circle to kick the match off.With the score in the series at one each, and Wales being the current holders, England were determined to take the title back.England began the game at a slow pace but playing keep ball in the Welsh half, Wales could only counter attack which was quickly cleared up by the England defence.After some excellent goalkeeping and sweeping by the same, Welsh keeper Shaune Keane; England eventually broke the deadlock when David 'Dordi' Byron lofted the ball into the net from about 25 yards.Soon after, Rob Scotford struck a volley into the roof of the net from an oncoming corner.Some 20 minutes into the game, England keeper David Uttley got his first touch when he had to put down his favourite book and fetch the ball from row Z.Uttley despatched the ball calmly for the defence and midfield to build up some nice football, which found its way to Chris 'Cool Dude' Denman, who struck a cross/ shot straight into the Welsh net, increasing the score to three-nil.With England sitting comfortably, many changes were made to the side and the oncoming Kevin 'Grandad' Gardner poked the ball home from a few yards following a goal mouth scramble.

For full story see Beacon 27/04/11.