The memory of student sportsman Ben Neilson was kept alive at a charity football match.

The game saw the current 1st IX from Ben’s old school, Norton Knatchbull, in Ashford, take on the sixth form team he played in as a pupil.

And with the memory of Ben inspiring his former team mates, the old boy’s side won 3-2.

Adrian Brunger, 21, a close friend of Ben who helped organise the event, said: “It was brilliant to get all the boys together again. Ben was certainly in our minds, as with lots of things we do, we always think what would it be like if Ben was still here?”

A minute’s silence was held at the start of match and the winning team were presented with trophies.

About £100 was raised for the Ben Neilson Memorial Fund.

Proceeds from the fund are to be used to raise enough money to buy hi-tech brain scanning equipment for ambulances.

Ben, who was 21 and from Willesborough, was not only a keen sportsman but also a star pupil at the top school.

He died after an attack in Ashford town centre. Two men have pleaded not guilty to murder and will stand trial in November.