The tragically short lives of two popular and talented sportsmen were commemorated with a charity football match. 

Billed as the Kevin Sayer XI versus the Matthew Green XI, the memorial game at the Jubilee Hall playing field in London was a fitting tribute to the sports-mad youngsters. 

Kevin (left), of Bergh Apton, died in 1995, aged 18, from the heart condition cardiomyopathy. 

Matthew (right), from Hales, died in April from a rare type of cancer called teratoma, which  affects the heart and lungs.  He was 19. 

More than 100 people turned out to watch the match organised by the friends of Kevin and Matthew, who both played for Loddon United FC. 

A tombola, raffle and special programme helped raise cash for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), in memory of Kevin, and the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey, where Matthew received cancer treatment. 

Annual charity football matches have been played in Kevin’s memory for the past nine years and have already raised lots of money for CRY.  

Following Matthew’s death, his friends have also been busy fundraising with a cricket match in this honour earlier this month. 

The organisers of Sunday’s event hoped that the friendly between the two teams would become a permanent sporting and charity fixture. 

James Marjoribanks, player-manager of the Matthew Green XI, which won 4-3, said Sunday’s game was played in high spirits. 

“There was good banter and it was a good laugh,” he said.  “We all took it seriously, but not too seriously.” 

Matthew’s parents, Sara and John, who were at the match, said they were overwhelmed by the turnout at the match. 

“I’m amazed to see so many people out on a Sunday morning,” said Mr Green, 52.  “I’m sure the lads wouldn’t normally want to be up this early after a Saturday night.” 

The Greens agreed that the memorial match was a fitting tribute to their son, who not only played football, cricket and swam, but also won awards for athletics and played in the Norfolk County short tennis championships at the age of eight. 

“He lived for sports and the social life that went with it,” said Mr Green.  “He would rather enjoy a game than win it without having any fun.”