Two regional daily journalists took part in a 19-goal thriller for charity at their patch’s main football stadium.

Swindon Advertiser colleagues Ed Burnett and Jonny Leighfield found themselves on the losing side when they played for a Media XI at Swindon Town’s County Ground home.

They were on the receiving end of a 12-7 “hammering” at the hands of a team comprised of past and present Swindon Town staff.

The match raised £325 for an appeal helping struggling people in Ukraine.

Ed, pictured left, and Jonny at Swindon Town’s County Ground

News reporter Ed, who started at left back for the Media XI, described sports reporter Jonny in a first-person piece about their experience as “Wiltshire’s Julian Alvarez”, a reference to the Manchester City and Argentina striker.

Ed wrote: “Jonny managed to christen the pitch with a fabulous goal whereas I was caught ball watching, being robbed of the ball on the halfway line and watching helplessly as the attacker prodded it home.

“The second half went better for myself as I was moved to my preferred position of centre back and we saw a slowing down of the goals against us.

“I managed to play 30 minutes in each half but was left destroyed by having to run on the full-sized pitch.

“The good news is that our sturdy team of journalists and writers managed a healthy seven goals for the morning.

“Whisper it quietly but we did also let in 12 goals in response, but as one of my fellow defenders remarked, at least we got to within half of their total.”