On Sunday, March 25, I was invited to join the officials and parents of the Civil Service under-sevens football home match against Rogerstone under-sevens.

Following a photo shoot, Civil, under the management of Ben Burrows, assisted by Mark Fairfax, and Paul Crisp for Rogerstone, the game got under way with both sides belying their ages, showing what a real difference modern facilities make, by boys and girls alike willing to train hard and prepared to have a go.

It showed in the tenth minute with Rogerstone scoring under the keeper's legs.

Referee Simon Witheridge certainly helped in making the game enjoyable by allowing advantage flow.

After 15 minutes Rogerstone scored a second, I believe both by William, and it looked like an onslaught was on the cards but the half-time talk by the coach for Civil was taken onboard for they started the second half full of zest and self-belief and after some good play by Rogerstone, without scoring, Civil put together a move from keeper to opposite area where Ellie Burrows gathered before beating two defenders to score from ten yards out.

That inspired the home side and, considering the ages of the players, it was all go, both sides playing entertaining football and it was of no surprise five minutes from time that Ellie pounced like a scalded cat, ran ten yards and gave the keeper no chance. 2-2 was a good comeback, a fair result to finish with, but young Lewis Firth had other ideas for with the last kick of an enthralling match, he scored for Civil to win 3-2.

The club are fortunate to have had a new set of red kit to wear, with many thanks to their sponsors, city councillors for Bettws, Glyn Jarvis and Lloyd Delahaye, who were both present at the game.