THE Stevenage-Kadoma link celebrated its 20th anniversary with two international charity soccer matches. The games between local players and a Zimbabwean team were held at Meadway, Symonds Green, and raised an estimated �200 for much needed school fees fo

THE Stevenage-Kadoma link celebrated its 20th anniversary with two international charity soccer matches.

The games between local players and a Zimbabwean team were held at Meadway, Symonds Green, and raised an estimated �200 for much needed school fees for children in the township of Rimuka in Kadoma.

The senior game was far more competitive than the result suggests with the England team coming out 5-1 winners.

On the adjacent pitch an U21s match took place, and the England boys also came out on top, winning 2-0 over the Zimbabweans.

Players and officials donated their usual match fees to the Stevenage-Kadoma Link Association, while local businesses provided support to purchase a shield, to make this an annual event, with Leko Foods of Popple Way donating the Man of the Match award, which included a bottle of champagne for winner Andy Yates who promptly cooled down his England team mates at the end of the match.

A barbecue was held afterwards, which included some interesting Zimbabwean Sadza, sausages and beef cuts cooked by Stevenage Boro goalkeeper Chris Day, in his role as host at his and wife Andrea's pub, the Crooked Billet.

Organisers Andy Hills of FC Cornerstone and Mike Mudiywa of Stevenage Utd, who lined up the local England and Zimbabwe squads, thanked all those who contributed time and effort to stage the game, which is expected to have raised around �200.

The money was presented to the Stevenage-Kadoma Link Association at its annual meeting last Thursday when current visitors from Kadoma were at Stevenage Borough Council's offices. More details on Stevenage's vibrant link with Kadoma can be found on www.SKALA.org.uk