Worcester News journalists take on Dines Green FC in friendly football match

Worcestershire County Council councillor, Richard Udall, organised the event for the journalists to take on Dines Green FC, which had a team made up of under 18s.

The

team was slightly older and invariably ran out of steam as the youngsters won the game 6-1.

Earlier this year, young people from the youth club in Dines Green contacted Councillor Richard Udall asking for help to set up the club.

Since then, Cllr Udall has used his divisional fund to support the youngsters.

Cllr Udall, who is also a Worcester City councillor, said: "It was a great match and the kids really enjoyed taking on the reporters.

"Based on the publicity, they've already had a team propose a match from the YMCA on Henwick Road so things are certainly looking very positive.

"One of the kids said he wanted to play them on a regular basis, possibly once a month."

Man of the match winner for Dines Green FC, Reece Allspeed, 16, said: "It felt good and they were a good team."

Cllr Udall joked: "The Worcester News team are welcome for a rematch if they want another humiliating defeat."

Chairman of

, Stephen Goode, 56, was in attendance at the event which took place on Sunday at the

on Ash Avenue in Worcester.

Mr Goode said: “I’ve come down to support councillor Udall and we are going to invite the Dines Green lads to a free game at Worcester.

At the end of the game, midfielder for the Worcester News, Ryan Merrifield, 30, said: “It was a tough match for us in terms of the scoreline, but a great occasion nonetheless. Thanks to Richard Udall for organising it.

“The opposition were younger and in much better shape and their quality told in the second half.

"We defended well for the first 30 minutes and our keeper Jack pulled off some great saves to keep us in it. Grace cleared a certain opening goal off the line in the first few minutes too.

“After the break, we played some better stuff going forward and carved out a couple of chances, but we lost our shape at the back and it was a bit of an inevitability by the end.

"Well done to Dines Green.”