Jamie Heapy said he was overwhelmed by the big attendance for his Didcot Town testimonial at Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow on Sunday.

In a match played over three periods of 30 minutes each, a large squad of old Didcot stars beat a Reading former players side 2-1, with 500 fans in attendance to pay tribute to Heapy’s 19-year career.

Ralf Little, star of the Royle Family TV series, also turned out for Reading.

“All of the players who came down to play for me and everyone who turned up to watch just made it such a fantastic occasion,” said Heapy.

“I hadn’t expected to see so many people there, so it was really overwhelming.”

Heapy himself played in the first period alongside his 2005 FA Vase-winning former teammates, who included defender Danny Campbell’s first appearance in a Didcot shirt since he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006.

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Burton Albion striker Stuart Beavon fired Heapy’s Railwaymen into the lead when he seized on a poor kick from Reading keeper Phil Brown, while Ian Concannon had an effort ruled out for offside.

Didcot’s side for the goalless second period consisted of players who had featured alongside Heapy in the Hellenic League.

For the final period, the Didcot side was made up mostly of players who had featured in their successful Southern League Division 1 South & West play-off campaign of 2010.

Stuart Beavon senior equalised for Reading from the penalty spot following a foul on Michael Gilkes by Andy Williams.

But Heapy’s side ran out winners after Richard Witt crossed for Kevin Cox to tap-in from close range.

Heapy said the highlight for him was catching up with old friends.

“It was good to see everyone again and to have a few beers with everybody afterwards,” he said.

“I played with a lot of really great players and I’ve been lucky to have made so many great friends.

“To get the Vase team back together again was just brilliant.

“It’s been such a long time, but it really didn’t feel like it because we instantly reconnected. We’re all friends for life.”

Heapy continued: “I appreciate the time and effort that everyone put in to make the day a success.

“I’m really thankful to all of the people on the committee at Didcot, who are fantastic.”

Didcot 1st period: Webb, Goodall, Jamie Heapy, Campbell (Cooper 16), Green, Parrott, Hannigan, Ward, Concannon, Beavon, Powell.

Didcot 2nd period: Spurrett, Bevan, Jack, Cooper, Bedwell, Barlow, Dorrian, Edney, Marriott, Jones, Bianchini.

Didcot 3rd period: McLoughlin, Stock, A Rouse, Williams, Jack, Stanley, Witt, Mortimer-Jones, Aplin, Cox (Heapy 81), M Rouse.

Reading squad: P Brown, T Jones, R Little, M Gooding, B Hunter, A Williams, K Watson, G Little, S Osborn, M Williams, N Roach, M Gilkes, A Gray, M Rivers, T Dellor, J Norris, D Brett, S Beavon snr.