FOREST Green legend Paul Hunt rolled back the years with a brace in a vintage performance against the soap stars from Hollyoaks but chairman Dale Vince’s superlative diving header caused the biggest surprise in a nine-goal New Lawn charity thriller.

Whilst, Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday was celebrating a vital 3-0 victory at Histon, Green-eco warrior Vince stepped off the bench at half-time to dive through a ruck of bodies to make it 5-0 to the Gloucestershire Hacks with only his third touch of the game.

No doubt Hockaday will review his chairman’s performance on DVD this week, but despite his wonder goal, Vince is unlikely to force his way into the squad this weekend.

Vince revealed his goal was no real surprise. He said: “The funny thing is I think it was in my dreams before the game.

“It was really great to meet the old players and a privilege to play with them.”

The Gloucestershire Hacks side featured a number of former Forest Green legends, journalists and Spandau Ballet star Steve Norman.

The faces maybe a little more lined and the waist bands somewhat expanded but the former professional stars outplayed the Hollyoaks young guns in a one-sided first half.

It was player-manager Hunt who opened the scoring early on as he twisted past Nick Pickard (Tony the chef) to fizz past Scott Flannery.

Former Rovers player-assistant Jerry Gill teed-up Ryan Preddy, one of just two twenty-somethings in the starting X1, and the ex-Shortwood United and Great Britain speed-merchant made no mistake with a crisp strike.

A few minutes later the Hacks were awarded a penalty kick following a foul on Preddy. Hunt stepped up but saw his effort brilliantly parried by Flannery, low to his right, before rifling home the rebound to make it 3-0.

In first half stoppage time the Hacks sealed a convincing opening half when Gill exchanged passes with Hunt to volley home just inside the box.

The changes were rung in the second half and it was half-time substitute Vince who got on the end of a corner from former Forest Green, Watford and Newcastle defender Jason Drysdale. With the former pro footballers leaving the pitch the journalists struggled to make their mark and Hollyoaks began to take full advantage.

Nico Miralero beat BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Paul Furley. Ian Williams then netted twice in quick succession for the soap side to continue their chase for an equaliser leading in to the final stages.

Philip Olivier, famed for his role in TV drama, Brookside, then tightened matters by adding a final goal of the afternoon straight from a corner. Olivier’s corner beat Furley and nestled into the top corner and over the head of a flat-footed Ashley Loveridge. but it was too little too late for the TV stars as the Hacks held on to secure the win.

Gloucestershire Hacks: Steve Perrin, Jerry Gill, Jason Drysdale, Andy Gurney, Ady Roper, Tommy Callinan, Steve Norman, Tim Haddock, Julian Alsop, Paul Hunt, Ryan Preddy.

Subs: Jack Killah, Ashley Loveridge, Billy Hunt, Chris Sandys, Chris Wintle, Bob Hunt, Jagdash Patel, Dale Vince, Paul Furley, Adam Smith.

Hollyoaks: Scott Flannery, Sam Yates, Nicky Pickard, James Atherton, Matt Millburn, Craig Vine, Danny Mac, Steven Beard, Neil Doyle, Nico Miralegro, Ian Williams.

Sub: Philip Olivier.

Star Man: Paul Hunt Attendance: 806