Jay Kay, Ralf Little, Paul Merson and Mike Mclean were just some of the celebrities on show for Oxford United's Youth Development Benefit match this afternoon.

More than a thousand supporters were in attendance to witness a showbiz team, featuring former pros Mark Stein and Richard Sneekes as well as a United Legends side featuring Phil Whitehead, Anton Rogan, Joey Beauchamp, Chris Wilder and more, do battle on the pitch in aid of the club's Youth Development programme.

With a first team training session beginning at 1:30pm, a 'Fans v Fans' match sandwiched in between each half, a demonstration from the club's Centre of Excellence players and a special kick-off appearance from Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke, the afternoon proved a resounding success and an enjoyable day out for supporters of all ages.

With the likes of Merson, the aforementioned Little and former Us man Mark Stein going up against Joey Beauchamp, Andy Melville and manager Chris Wilder, the main event itself was always going to be an entertaining affair and it didn't take long for that to be proven as Stein was adjudged to have handled before burying the ball past Phil Whitehead in the United goal after less than a minute. Seconds later it was the Legends side who found themselves with a chance after Beauchamp was sent tumbling just outside the area. The former wing wizard promptly dusted himself off, stepped up and whipped a beautiful free kick inside the near post. On five it could have been two for the Us and two for Beauchamp, only for the assistant to raise his flag as the ball hit the back of the net.

The game was already in full flow and being played in excellent spirits. While the Showbiz stars looked strong the United Legends provided a stiff test with chairman Kelvin Thomas and First Team Coach Andy Melville forming an uncompromising partnership in the middle of defence, though some may argue a little TOO uncompromising as Thomas was deemed to have blocked Stein's goalbound effort with an arm. Ex Big Breakfast presenter  Mclean proceeded to tuck the ball away past the despairing Whitehead.

It was 2-1 to the Celebs on thirteen minutes through Charlie Sheen (no, not THAT one, but rather the son of Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke) though Beauchamp struck again to level it up, before Mark Stein placed a shot firmly into the top corner to give  his All-Star side a 3-2 half time lead.

The break in play signalled the emergence of 22 supporters as our 'Fans v Fans' game kicked off with several United first teamers going head to head in the process. James Constable, assisted by Matt Green, headed up the White team while Mark Creighton and number 2 Harry Worley took charge of the Yellows. George Dugdale gave Creighton's side the lead with a deft lob just before half time, but despite the best efforts of his players Constable couldn't find a response as he ended the game on the losing side.

Back in the main event there were several changes with Jeff Brazier and former Grenada international Otis Roberts coming on for the Celebs and Alan Judge, Youth Development Director Simon Lenagan and current United Scholar Jamie Connor all making an appearance. The changes initially seemed to have made little difference as Dave Regis curled the ball over the head of Judge to make it 4-2 less than five minutes into the half, though ex-player Alex Fisher forced two good saves after going through on goal for the Legends side.

Timmy Mallet made an appearance with half an hour to go as the Us switched to an unusual 4-4-3 formation, and the television star had a hand in a third goal for his side as Keith Holmes made it 4-3 before the same player made it 4-4 with a blistering strike minutes from time to earn his side a draw in a thoroughly enjoyable encounter.

The club are unlikely to see another game with as many goals as this over the forthcoming season, though at the same time you'll be hard pressed to find one as relaxed, enjoyable and in aid of as good a cause as this.

Same again next year?

Fifty/50 winning number: 101895 (£155.50)