Referee abandons match between Blackfield & Langley and Christchurch after incident between spectators and players

Wessex Premier
Blackfield & Langley FC A
Christchurch FC A
(Match abandoned)

BLACKFIELD & Langley's home clash with Christchurch was called off after an incident between spectators and players.

The hosts were leading the match 3-0 when the altercation happened after players from both sides were handed red cards, and the referee abandoned the game.

Wessex League's league secretary Steve Smith said: "Unfortunately, Saturday's match between Blackfield & Langley and Christchurch was abandoned by the referee in the second half following an incident involving players and spectators.

"The league has requested observations from both clubs, and the matter has been forwarded to the Hampshire Football Association, who will investigate.

"No further comments will be made until the investigation has been completed."

The incident spoiled what was shaping up as a superb start for Blackfield's new management set-up of Conor McCarthy, Rory Anderson and Ryan Ship, who took over after the departure of former AFC Bournemouth player Fawzi Saadi.

Owen Fee opened the scoring for Blackfield after sending keeper Ollie King the wrong way with a superbly taken penalty after 34 minutes.

The keeper's day went from bad to worse when Jack Francis spotted King had strayed too far from his line, punishing him from around 40 yards.

Blackfield continued to carry the most significant threat, and Frankie Monk looked to have settled the match with a well-taken goal 10 minutes after the restart.

However, after a double sending off and trouble in the ground, the referee abandoned the match on the hour mark.