Joe Ledley’s Cardiff City XI defeated a David Marshall All Star XI on penalties, after a thrilling 4-4 draw in normal time.
The game was played in memory of Claire Nokes, raising money for the Prop Appeal – a fund managed by Cardiff & Vale Health Charity to support individuals undergoing brain injury rehabilitation and their families.
Among the names starting for the Bluebirds were Sean Morrison, Kevin McNaughton, and City’s Women’s Player of the Year Shannon Evans.
Meanwhile for the All Stars, Wales manager Craig Bellamy started, alongside the likes of Lee Tomlin and Andy Legg.
The All Stars took the lead through Bellamy, who was able to guide the ball into the bottom corner. What followed after the opening goal was an end-to-end half. Craig Conway fizzed a ball past the post for the All Stars, while at the other end, Fiona Barry fired straight at Marshall.
City found an early equaliser, as Stuart O’Keefe’s deflected effort nestled into the bottom corner, but minutes later, the All Stars went ahead, as Bellamy executed a composed finish from Leroy Brito’s ball over the top.
The goals kept coming in the second half. Conway showed good control in the box before finding the far corner to bag a third for the All Stars, but City once again pulled one back, this time courtesy of Ledley’s powerful shot. But yet again, the All Stars regained their two-goal advantage; Conway again scoring.
With the All Stars looking set to take the win, the Bluebirds produced a remarkable turnaround in the final two minutes. Fraizer Campbell headed the ball past the onrushing Jamie Ringer, and then with less than 30 seconds remaining, Jay Bothroyd turned home Kevin McNaughton’s cross to send the game into a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Gavin Ward was the hero, as the Bluebirds XI won 4-2. The occasion was brilliantly supported at Cardiff City Stadium, with a huge contribution made to the Prop Appeal.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY XI 4-4 ALL STAR XI (4-2 ON PENALTIES)
Cardiff City XI: Gavin Ward, Joe Ledley ©, Frazier Campbell, Damon Searle, Jay Bothroyd, Shannon Evans, Sean Morrison, Tom Ramasut, Fiona Barry, Jason Fowler, Kevin McNaughton.
Substitutes: Scott Young, Ffion Price, Darren Purse, Nieve Jenkins, Lily Billingham, Matthew Connolly, Stuart O’Keefe.
All Stars XI: David Marshall ©, Craig Bellamy, Lee Tomlin, Anthony Pilkington, Katy Hosford, Lee Peltier, Ben Turner, Ellie Lane, Andy Legg, Gavin Rae, Craig Conway.
Substitutes: Lewys Twamley, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Ringer, Nia Jones, Chloe Chivers, Rachel Cullen, Leroy Brito.
After the game, we spoke with Dr Len Nokes, who reflected on a fantastic event.
"A lot of work has gone into today, but it’s all worth it. Just to see people smiling here and enjoying themselves, this is what it’s all about.
“It's humbling to see how many people have come out to support this. I feel very humble that they’ve come out and have turned up for Claire; I’m very honoured.
"It’s so lovely to see all the players as well. It’s always great to see the boys. It was a good game, and it’s always nice when it ends with penalties. It's been a great day.”