Story added: 22nd May 2017

Spectacular second-half comeback the talking point at fifth charity football match

A spectacular second-half comeback was the talking point of the fifth annual Jamie’s Game, held at Carrow Road yesterday.

The Community Sports Foundation’s annual fundraiser pitted two teams of celebrities against each other, led this year by managers Sam Bailey (X-Factor) and Jacqueline Jossa (Eastenders).

Over 6,500 fans witnessed an action-packed affair, filled with goals, penalties and plenty of entertaining and memorable moments.

The game, run in association with former Darren Eadie’s Sellebrity, was set up to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation’s work with disabled and disadvantaged individuals.

This year’s line-up welcomed back firm favourites Jim Chapman, Calum Best and Jake Wood, among others; as well as a number of debutants, including Sam Bailey and Rudimental trio Piers, Leon & Kesi.

Following a cagey start, it was Jacqueline Jossa’s side who struck first: Celebrity Big Brother star and pro-footballer Jamie O’Hara curling the ball home emphatically, when the ball fell to him just outside of the box. Last year’s Man of the Match Max Morley doubled his side’s advantage in the 32-minute, following good work from Dan Osborne. Bailey XI didn’t have any answers to the attacking prowess of their opponents, and two soon turned into four – Dan Osborne and Aaron Sidwell both adding their names to a one-sided looking scoresheet.

Four-nil down at the half, it would require the introduction of a crowd favourite to reverse the fortunes for Bailey XI.

Calum Best, who tweeted his apologies for missing the first half due to transport issues, took to the field in time for the second half and not only did his appearance on the touchline rejuvenate the crowd, he proved to be the catalyst for a stirring comeback.

Team Bailey found the net six times in the second-half, thanks to a spectacular strike from TOWIE’s Dan Edgar, braces from Man of the Match Harvey and Kesi Dryden, and a calm finish from Jake Wood.

The comeback was no doubt aided by an injury enforced substitution for Jossa XI which saw James Argent assume goalkeeping duties off Gavin Ramjaun, and a red card for Eastenders’ star Aaron Sidwell following a ‘scuffle’ with his on screen dad Jake Wood.

No Jamie’s Game is complete without a magic moment for namesake Jamie Abbott, and it was his penalty in the 88th minute which completed the comeback for Bailey XI. It wasn’t yet to be the fairy-tale finish, as there was just enough time for Dan Osborne to nod home a late equaliser.

For the second time in Jamie’s Game history, the match went to penalties. It proved to be an unlikely culprit who missed the only penalty, all-time Jamie’s Game top goalscorer Dan Osborne, and the stage was set once more for Jamie Abbott.

He duly obliged, dispatching his penalty with ease and sparking wild celebrations from Team Bailey.

Away from the match action, entertainment was provided by folk singer Sam Kelly, the Rock Choir, TheatreTrain Norwich, as well as dance groups East Coast Emeralds, the Angel Baton Twirlers and CSF’s disability dance All-Stars. A cast of comic book heroes and mascots, provided by HeroHireHQ, was a new and popular addition for the younger members of the crowd

The Community Sports Foundation wishes to thank match sponsors Fisher Healthcare Training Ltd, Errea, 4 Sports Group and CMB Multimedia.

Match summary

Sunday 21st May 2017

Sam Bailey XI 7-7 Jacqueline Jossa XI (Bailey XI wins 5-3 on pens)

Attendance: 6,504

Bailey XI

Terry Alderton (GK); Sam Bailey, Adam Drury, Jimmy Constable, Scott Robinson, Harvey, Jay James, Jake Wood (C), James Hill, Dean Gaffney, Kevin Cooper, Dan Edgar, Kesi Dryden, Leon Rolle, Tom Sellers

Jossa XI

Gavin Ramjaun (GK); Darren Kenton, Daz Everest, Jim Chapman, James Argent, Jamie O’Hara, Max Morley, Dan Osborne (C), Darren Eadie, Sam Kelly, Danny-Boy Hatchard, Leon Bustin, Stevi Ritchie, Aaron Sidwell, Piers Agget, Ian Haste

Bailey XI scorers:

Jake Wood (’48), Harvey (’54, pen ’56), Dan Edgar (’66), Kesi Dryden (’77, ’83), Jamie Abbott (pen ’88)

Jossa XI scorers:

Jamie O’Hara (’10), Max Morley (’32), Aaron Sidwell (’43), Leon Bustin (’46), Dan Osborne (2: 42’, ’89), James Argent (pen ’63)

Red card: Aaron Sidwell (’80)

Penalties:

SCORED Leon Rolle (Bailey) 1-0

SCORED James Argent (Jossa) 1-1

SCORED Calum Best (Bailey) 2-1

SCORED Aaron Sidwell (Jossa) 2-2

SCORED Jake Wood (Bailey) 3-2

MISSED Dan Osborne (Jossa) 3-2

SCORED Harvey (Bailey) 4-2

SCORED Jamie O’Hara (Jossa) 4-3

SCORED Jamie Abbott (Bailey) 5-3

Match officials: Referee – Mr Mike George; Assistant Referees – Mr Alex Guy, Mr Murray Grant; Fourth Official – Mr Ben Willgress

Man of the match: Harvey