DRIVING rain failed to dampen the high spirits at a milestone football match on Easter Monday.

Haslemere mayor Jim Edwards joined more than 100 supporters at the Scotland Lane

recreation ground for the Friendship Trophy game, which concluded the annual football exchange between Haslemere Town Youth Football and their partners from VfL Suderburg, who had travelled over from Germany for the Easter break.

The exchange for boys aged 12 to 14, now in its 34th year, is one of the longest-running football exchanges and many original members involved in the first trip in 1978 still help out as coaches.

Despite the difficult conditions both teams played some excellent football. The under-13s match was 2-2 at full time with Suderburg going on to win 5-4 on penalties and the vistiors also won the U14s game 4-2.

Haslemere club chairman Andrew Griffiths presented a special 100th birthday cake to Michael Hätscher, president of Suderburg to mark their centenary.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.