A local football club has hosted a fundraising day in aid of a crucial cardiac charity.

On Saturday, July 30 Hay St Mary’s Football Club hosted their annual charity matches with Cheltenham Town Development Centre along with Builth Wells Reserves and Newent Football Club. The matches at Forest Road were played in aid of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, in memory of Kieran Joyce.

Cardiac Risk in the Young is a charity that raises money to fund heart screening to the young people within the local community. Their mission is to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, as well as provide support to affected families.

Herefordshire schoolboy Kieran Joyce died in his sleep from a previously undiagnosed heart condition in September 2019.

The popular Year 11 pupil was a talented sportsman. He played for Hereford FC’s under-16s side, having previously played for Hay St Mary’s up until he was eight years old.

On Saturday, a presentation took place of the new defibrillator kindly donated by the local people of Hay and Special Metal Wiggins Ltd Community Fund.

Charity match 2
The new defibrillator was accepted by chairman Steve Jenkins. The device will be positioned on the stand at the ground (.)

Steve Cotton, General Manager of Special Metals Wiggin Ltd presented the defibrillator to Chairman Steve Jenkins that will now be positioned on the stand at the ground.

Mr Jenkins said: “We are extremely grateful for every penny donated by the community and the employees of Special Metals Wiggin Ltd - as their funding has enabled us to purchase the defibrillator and appropriate training.

“We can now rest in the knowledge that we are fully prepared should a situation arise.”

Matches took place across the morning with Hay Juniors playing matches against Cheltenham Town Development Centre. Senior matches followed this, with Hay Reserves playing Builth Reserves and Hay Firsts playing Newent in the afternoon.

Hay Juniors kicked off the day with their recently formed girls section, followed by age groups U8 to U16. All groups competed well against very talented Cheltenham sides.

In the second match of the day Hay were defeated by a well organised Builth side. Hay battled well against a higher opposition and with the game being at 2-1 Hay almost levelled after the hour. Hay’s Ewan Peel made a fine double save to prevent Builth going further ahead but was unable to stop Builth from going on to win 4-1. It was a tough test for a new and young Hay side against last season’s league and cups winners.

The main event then kicked off at 4pm when Hay Firsts took on Newent FC.

Charity match 3
Newent captain Lewis Lloyd, Hay captain Liam Mcanally, referee Chris Bounds, linesmen Nigel Matthias and Steve Bradford, and mascots Callum Jenkins and Jaxon Brown, prior to kick off (Andrew Barrell Photography)

The Saints were defeated 3 -1 in their last pre-season friendly before the season kicks off this coming Friday.

Newent started the game on the front foot, keeping the ball and maintaining a fast tempo. They took the lead with a freak goal when an overhit long ball took a high bounce over home keeper Tom Lewis.

The Saints soon settled and the game was even with both sides creating chances.

Matty Tong equalised for the home side with a clinical finish before Newent capitalised on a non-cleared ball with a good finish of their own.

The second half continued to be played at a fast tempo from both sides with both teams having chances to extend the scoreline.

Newent got their all important third goal when their striker ran onto an underhit back pass to round Saints keeper Ewan Peel and pass the ball into an empty net. It was a well contested game with both sides giving everything.

Charity match 4
A minute of applause was held before kick off at Forest Road ( Andrew Barrell Photography)

A wonderful day was had by all and the club would like to pass on a huge thank you to all that supported on the day and donated to The Kieran Joyce Memorial Fund.

Hay St Mary’s would like to thank the following for their support in making the day so successful:

• Andrea and Gareth Joyce

• Andy Beavan and Darren Brown from Cheltenham Town

• Newent FC

• Builth Wells Reserves

• Hay St Mary’s coaches and volunteers

• Spectators from both home and away

• Behind bars, Richie Harris Marquees, Three counties toilet hire, Tasty Bites, DJ Danny Graham, Bully Bouncers, Clive Meredith electrics.

If you are looking for football, Hay St Marys is offering junior football from four years to 16, both boys and girls, along with mens, ladies and veterans sections.

If you’re interested in joining contact [email protected].