Grey whiskers within the black beard was the only giveaway to Carlos Edwards' advancing years as the former Ipswich Town star made is Hadleigh United league debut.

The Trinidad & Tobago World Cp star from 2006, belied his 44 years by playing the full 90 minutes and getting the assist for the Brettsiders opener in their 2-1 home defeat by Downham Town.

Starting at left back and then moving into midfield in the second half as Hadleigh chased the game, it was the old grey brain cells that helped Edwards at Millfield.

"I still play because I love the game and it is about using my experience," revealed Edwards. "It is just about not going crazy and running all over the place, just read the game a bit more. Talk more do less running and all those years of experience helped."

Hadleigh boss Steve Holder signed Edwards from Woodbridge (full story here) to add experience and class to the side and the pin pint cross for skipper Jack Baker to head in midway through the first half, appeared to vindicate the decision.

His class stood out, but so too did the desire and enthusiasm, as Edwards organised those around him, but the man who also played under Roy Keane for Sunderland and Ipswich, admits his influence on the pitch will be limited.

He said: "I won't be playing every game of the season, I have to be realistic, but any game I can help I will be there because I enjoy it.

"I know I won't be first on the team sheet at all and that is right because that would not be fair on the younger boys but anything I can do to help I will.

"If my experience cn hep the team and the cub going forward I will be doing that."

Edwards, who won 92 caps for Trinidad & Tobago, had the choice of clubs to sign for in the close season, but chose Hadleigh after chatting with old friends Holder and his assistant Liam Scopes.

He added: "Hadleigh is a lovely club with wonderful people. I'm good fields with the manger and his assistant and this is a good group of guys ,so hopefully we can achieve something good this season."

It wasn't the best of starts to the season but Edwards is confident the group will improve, although they face a tough trip to Newmarket on Tuesday evening, before facing much high opposition in Cambridge City in the FA Cup extra preliminary round at Tinkers Lane on Saturday.

Edwards, who also played from Millwall, Wrexham, Wolves and Luton, gave credit to Downham, who were promoted last season, and added: "They came out really well and did a good job, they were the better team we we nowhere close close to how we have trained or want to be but give credit to the opposition they took there chances and got their rewards.

"We got that goal and I was thinking that will left the lads but we just didn't find that extra gear we were looking for to push forward. Conceding that penalty just before half time summed up the whole 45 minutes.

"Hopefully that was just a first game jitters and we can regroup for the next game."

Holder admits Hadleigh just not quite good enough...