More than £9,000 raised as Arsenal beat Torbay Police in charity match in Newton Abbot

Torbay Police FC raised more than £9,000 for charity at the Devon County FA grounds, Newton Abbot, on Saturday with the match against Arsenal Charity Team.

Torbay Police narrowly lost to Arsenal 3:2 in an exciting match, but that didn't detract from the overall success of the day.

The money raised from the entrance fee, programme sales, programme advertising, refreshments, stands such as the bouncy castle, sponsorship, raffle and auction will be shared between Rowcroft Hospice and The Arsenal Charitable Trust.

PC Lee Langley, Torbay Police Football Club manager, said: "The day was an overwhelming success and we'd like to thank everyone who supported the event. We raised more money than we ever imagined we would. There were just under 1,300 people in the grounds which is a record crowd for the Devon County FA grounds. Watch this space as we are hoping to stage a similar event next year."

Arsenal spokesman Andrew Farley said: "It was a fantastic day and a very well organised event. It was also good to see ex-Arsenal favourites Eddie Kelly and Steve Williams out on the pitch. Well done to everyone involved."

Full match report:

Arsenal were early on the attack when Evren Arkali was through on goal but shot wide, this was followed by a good movement involving Paul Woods and Arkali which set up Giles Alderson but he lacked power in his shot. Arkali was then in action but was denied by the police goalkeeper Lee Metherell but, on nine minutes Arsenal went ahead when Alderson converted a penalty sending keeper Metherell the wrong way.

On the 18 minute, it was Arsenal again on the attack as Arkali had a goal-bound shot tipped over the bar by keeper Metherell, and one minute later Woods provided Alderson with the pass that saw him net his and Arsenal's second from close range.

On 23 minutes it was Woods who sent Arsenal's Ralf Little away, but his shot was fractionally wide. One minute later Torbay Police had their first chance to score, but Tom Ince's free kick went just over.

It was then Arsenal again on the attack, and keeper Metherell saved an effort from Arkali, but Matt Mansfield and Woods' attempts were just off target.

On the stroke of half time Arsenal's Little dribbled through Torbay Police only to see his shot rebound off the crossbar. This was followed by a low shot from Arkali which produced a diving save from keeper Metherell.

After 52 minutes, Arsenal went 3-0 up, when Tony Murtagh neatly found the bottom of the Torbay Police net from James Cartwright's cross.

Torbay Police then came more into the match with Jim Nye setting up Josh Marshall, but his shot was saved by the Arsenal keeper Peter Langley.

On 55 minutes, good play between Nye, Marshall and James Stock produced a corner on the right, for Torbay Police this was followed by a corner on the left taken by Sean Philpot, which saw captain Ian Clenahan rise high and head home the first goal for Torbay Police.

Torbay Police then had a good spell making the Arsenal keeper Langley gather a long shot from Martin Sutcliffe and a low effort from Lee Langley, and both Ian Russell and Sutcliffe went close.

A header from Arsenal's Murtagh, a swinging free kick from Steve Williams and an attempt by Micky Nunn were all saved by keeper Metherell. Murtagh then hit the Torbay Police bar with a shot and Alderson headed over.

In time added on, Lee Langley netted the Torbay Police side's second with a lob over keeper Langley to make the score 3-2.

Man of the match was awarded to Ralf Little, Arsenal.