CHILDREN and teenagers were pitted against each other at a match to help bring them together through football.

Pupils who have been taking part in the Barnet Kickz project this summer played a game against Borehamwood FC Under 18s at The Hive, in Edgware.

The tense match resulted in a 7-7 draw after Borehamwood FC snatched a late equaliser.

Kickz, which is run by the Metropolitan Police, sees Premier and Football League clubs work with their local police force in disadvantaged areas.

Ashley Levien, who works at the Hive Community Trust at Barnet FC and coaches the team, said: "The aim of the project is to create safer, stronger and more respectful communities using the power of football and I believe that Kickz is definitely playing its part in doing so.

"We have gone from strength to strength over the past few years and you can see the difference it is making in our community and to our young people.

"This for me is not a job, it's a pleasure working with these young people; they are fantastic kids that are not being given enough opportunities to express themselves positively.”

Mr Levien grew up on the Grahame Park and Stonegrove estates and had no opportunities available to him as a child, and is determined to make sure young people are given opportunities.

After the game, a footballer who played in the match was approached by a watching scout from a Football League team and invited him for a trial.

Schools officer PC Michael Wallace, who helps run the team, said: "The Metropolitan Police have worked over the years with projects, such as Kickz, to give youths the opportunity to work as a team, focus on tactics and aim for achieving short and long-term goals.

"They are then able to bring what they have learnt into their everyday lives, whether that be at home or in school.

"This project, in conjunction with The Hive Community Trust allows me to engage and build relationships with youths who would otherwise be out on the streets possibly getting into trouble. This helps to break down barriers which can only have a positive effect.”