Billed as the final Les Miserables v The Phantom of the Opera football match, the MAD Match, played at Bromley Arena yesterday ended with a decisive 6:2 victory to Phantom FC. The crowd clearly are hoping for a return match as this leaves the score standing at 2 games each.
The concert got off to a rocking start with Killian Donnelly’s Mustang Sally, with a pretty good effort at backing vocals by the crowd. Rachelle Ann Go stepped away from musical theatre and despite her reservations wowed with Chandelier. Then came the incomparable John Owen Jones, who entertained the audience by “killing ants” on the red carpet before a roof raising set, (had there been a roof) closing with Thunderball which got thunderous applause from the crowd. Carrie Hope Fletcher dazzled in her Disney dress with Colours of the Wind, beautifully sung despite her being under the weather. Stepping in at the last minute Rob Houchen sang an amazing duet Who Wants To Live For Ever with Kerry Ellis, who then closed the concert, with the audience on their feet swaying to We Are The Champions.
The MAD Match kicked off at 3.00pm with Les Miserables taking an early lead. A penalty was awarded against Les Mis and tension mounted as Ryan Goscinski stepped up to take the spot kick. Facing Paul Jones, ex Welsh International, he kept his cool and found the back of the net. At 1 : 1, a sneaky Phantom ball rolled into the net giving them the lead at half time.
Take Four ended their interval performance by encouraging the teams back onto the pitch with Walk Like A Man.
Mark Sampson, set aside his duties as England Ladies manager, and stepped up to manage Phantom FC. Mark and his assistant Lee Kendall’s half time team talk did the trick. Phantom took charge of the game for most of the second half. Les Mis fought back from 5:1 down but it wasn’t enough, and assisted to their victory by Francis Benaliand Luke Benali, the final score was 6:2 to Phantom.
Mark Clemmit of BBC Radio Five Live was on the touchline to get the thoughts of Alan Irvine, manager of Les Miserables team, who thought his team had given their all. “I couldn’t have asked for more from my lads” The assistant manager of Les Mis FC, James Townsen, took to the pitch, but it still wasn’t enough.
Just to make sure everyone knew exactly what was happening on the pitch, live commentary for the day was provided by Carl Mullaney and Tim Morgan.
A fantastic day for everyone looks to have raised over £15,000 for the Make A Difference Trust to support HIV and AIDS projects.
Donations can be made on line at: www.justgiving.com/lesmisvphantom4