TONIGHT: Mike Keen Memorial Game

This is Local London

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Sign in Zola sparkles in fitting tribute to Mike Keen (

Zola sparkles in fitting tribute to Mike Keen
9:33pm Thursday 15th April 2010

A CROWD of 1,724 saw Gianfranco Zola light up tonight's Mike Keen Memorial Match at Adams Park.

The Italian sparkled as the Keen All Star XI won 5-4 against the Wycombe Wanderers Legends.

Zola and Teddy Sheringham scored twice each for the victors with Rob Lee adding the other for the All Stars.

But Tommy Mooney's hat-trick and Dennis Greene's spectacular effort made sure it was a close encounter on a night of some glorious goals.

But all the players on show provided a fitting tribute to High Wycombe's Mr Football who died from Cancer almost exactly a year ago.

The All Star XI was put together by Mike Keen's son Kevin and the West Ham coach, who remains the youngest player to turn out for Blues, assembled a team to do his dad proud with selections from four of his father's clubs, Wycombe, QPR, Watford and Luton.

And West Ham boss Zola in particular turned in a memorable performance befitting of a memorial match for someone as revered as Mike Keen.

Within the first five minutes it was obvious that it was going to be his show.

The little Italian put a header just wide and then had an exquisite lob tipped over the bar after a one two with Sheringham before curling another effort just wide in a teasing appetiser of what was to come.

But it wasn't just one way traffic.

Mooney screwed an early effort wide before Blackburn's all time record scorer Simon Garner headed another chance wide.

And it was the Wycombe Legends who drew first blood.

Keith Ryan made the break before cutting back a low cross into the stride of Mooney who opened the scoring.

Mooney went close again minutes later firing just off target after being laid up by Steve Brown.

But no one could upstage Zola and within five minutes he brought the scores level with a goal that would not have looked out of place in the Premiership.

His team-mate Sheringham said in the build up to the game that the Italian could still play in the top flight and Jason Cousins would certainly echo that.

He was left in a confused heap on the ground by Zola's fancy footwork before the Italian wizard slammed the ball into the back of the Blues net.

The match featured multiple substitutions with current Wycombe boss Gary Waddock coming on for the Keen side after 25 minutes.

But it was still all about Zola. He produced a stunning long chipped ball to send Sheringham clear and the Manchester United treble winner showed he had lost none of his finishing ability as he made it 2-1 to the All Stars.

Wanderers were just a whisker of paint away from a leveller on the stroke of half time with Ryan seeing his hooked effort from the edge of the box come back off the post.

But the All Star XI were soon back in their stride and right at the start of the second half Sheringham extended their lead with an impudent chip over Paul Hyde.

However Blues quickly narrowed the scores with a fine shot from Dennis Greene which could arguably have been the goal of the night at that stage.

But that was just the prelude to an even better goal from Zola. He waltzed past five defenders before shifting the ball onto his right boot and firing another shot beyond Hyde.

Zola then turned provider threading the ball through to former Wanderer Rob Lee to slot home the fifth through Hyde's legs.

Zola was substituted to a standing ovation and spent the rest of the night signing autographs.

Without him and with Sheringham also going off, Wycombe fought back with two goals in two minutes from Mooney to make it 5-4.

The only thing missing on the night was a goal from Keen Junior.

But he wouldn't have minded. He wanted a fitting tribute to his dad and he certainly got that while at the same time raising money for Cancer Research.

Wanderers Legends: Paul Hyde, Jason Cousins, Keith Ryan, Glyn Creaser, Simon Stapleton, Steve Thompson, Tommy Mooney, Steve Brown, Simon Garner, Matt Crossley, Mo Harkin. Subs Mark West, Hakan Hayrettin, Steve Whitby, Andy Baird, Dennis Greene.

www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/sport/8102497.Zola_sparkles_in_fitting_tribute_to_Mike_Keen/

Kevin Keen XI: Alec Chamberlain, Tim Breacker, Steve Clarke, Kevin Keen, Mlky Mackay, Alan Pardew, Clive Allen, Teddy Sheringham, Phil Parkinson, Rob Lee, Gianfranco Zola. Subs: Paul Allen, Martin Allen, Alex Dyer, Gary Waddock, Kevin Hitchcock, David Oldfield