MORE than 300 people attended Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday, for a charity memorial football day in memory of David 'Flash' Jay. David, a former Copleston pupil, was a plasterer by trade who had become a construction site manager when he died suddenly and tragically from a brain haemorrhage whilst working away from home in Manchester last November, aged just 33.

MORE than 300 people attended Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday, for a charity memorial football day in memory of David 'Flash' Jay.

David, a former Copleston pupil, was a plasterer by trade who had become a construction site manager when he died suddenly and tragically from a brain haemorrhage whilst working away from home in Manchester last November, aged just 33. 'Flash' was an avid fan of both Ipswich Town and England, as well as being a frequent visitor to Ipswich Wanderers matches.

The charity game saw three of the Sunday sides which Jay had played for over the years compete, with the Lion's Head and Heathlands public houses joining forces to take on a Brickies Old Boys side. The two squads brought together 40 players who had become friends with 'Flash', with both teams playing in shirts showing his name, and a picture of him. Prior to the game, a minute's applause was shown in his memory, with this applause being undertaken by players and spectators alike.

The match itself was a very tight affair, with both teams desperate not to lose the game. Although clear cut chances were at a premium in the first half, the second period saw a much more open contest, with tired legs giving players more space. Both sides had opportunities to score, but it wasn't until the 85th minute that the ball was put in the net for the one and only occasion. A cross from the right allowed Ricky Thorpe to head home from very close to seal a 1-0 victory for the Brickies old boys.

This was the first of two matches played over the course of the day, with the money raised being donated to the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, the chosen charity. Nearly �900 was raised from gate receipts and programme sales alone, with this all being donated to the charity. Special thanks should also be given to all 6 officials from the two matches, as they all gave their services free of charge.

The second match of the day saw a pre-season fixture between Ipswich Wanderers and newly-promoted Ridgeon's Premier Division outfit Debenham LC. The match turned out to be an eight goal thriller, with the battle ending in a 4-4 draw.

Captain Stuart Jopling gave the visitors a 2nd minute lead from the spot after Ben Deacon was pushed in the area. Rob Forbes equalised just 6 minutes later when he outmuscled his opponents from a Leon Parnell corner to head home. Debenham regained the lead shortly before the quarter of an hour mark, as a lofted cross by Deacon was headed home by Jopling for his second goal. The away side gave themselves a two goal cushion 4 minutes before the break, when the quick feet of Deacon saw the new signing pick up a deserved goal to give them a 3-1 lead at the break.

Wanderers pulled a goal back 8 minutes into the second half, as skipper James Buckle converted a penalty, after Savio De Noojer was brought down in the box. The home side went on to level midway through the half, as a curling Scott Wark effort from outside the box deceived the goalkeeper. Debenham regained their lead just 4 minutes later, when Neil Gooderham put the ball home past substitute keeper Jack Foster. The homeside picked up a deserved equaliser just 5 minutes from the end, as the dangerman Rob Forbes picked up his second goal, bundling home the ball from close range.

The results of the two fixtures were really irrelevant, as the winners were the strong crowd who saw two superb matches and the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, who will have a significant some of money donated to them. The popularity of the event would suggest that this is something which could become an annual event.