LOSING a five-a-side football match by 19 goals would usually be regarded as a thrashing.

But when the game is a world record 72 hours long, and the score is 1426-1407, you can understand why this particular match could be described as a ‘nail bitter’.

St Mary Bourne resident Theo Strong and his 15 friends completed their mammoth five-a-side challenge on Saturday 29 October at Chestnut Grove School in Balham, London.

The group kicked-off their challenge on Wednesday 26 October, with the hope of playing non-stop for 72 hours.

After three days, numerous blisters and bruises, and over 2,800 goals, the teams ended their challenge on Saturday night to a loud cheer by friends and family.

The group, which included Theo’s brother Magnus, Andover siblings Matt and Nick Valenzia and teenage New Street star Jaydyn Englefield, are now nervously awaiting official confirmation from Guinness that they have broken the current record, which stands at 70 hours.

Talking about completing the challenge, Theo said: “We managed to complete the 72 hours which was really good.

“Everyone put in a very good shift and all worked really hard.

“Thursday was definitely the hardest day because you are not even half way and your mind is wondering what is going on.

“There were definitely some low points but some great moments as well.”

One of the high points came when a wayward shot hit a fixed basketball net and sunk through the hoop, prompting loud cheers from both players and spectators.

Theo said: “It was a great moment.

“We said before that over the 72 hours one of us has got to get it into the hoop.

“There was a great roar from everyone when it went in.

“It was things like that that kept us going.”

During the 72-hour challenge the players were rotated nine times in an eight-hour long shift pattern.

In those eight hours, each player played for five hours and rested for three.

The first and last 30 minutes of each break was used for stretches, physio treatment and food.

In the remaining two hours the players slept on beds, located inside a school classroom.

By the time the final whistle had blown both teams had scored over 2,800 goals, with Team White the triumphant side, winning 1426-1407 over Team Black.

Despite this, Theo said he was not disappointed with the result.

He added: “It was a great spectacle for people to watch.

“I didn’t mind being on the losing side after playing for 72 hours.

“It was great that we were so close, at the end it really kept us going,”

he added.

“We realised that we were only 15 goals behind and we were thinking we can do this, so we all kept trying right until the end.”

As well as attempting to break the world record, the group were also raising money for charity Football Beyond Borders.

The group has raised over £10,000 so far but is hoping to reach its target of £30,000.

To donate visit: www.pledgit.net/ campaign/9RTdzX/fbb-world-record-challenge.