Violence flares as Tilbury match is abandoned

6:56pm Saturday 27th October 2007

Comments (27)   Have your say »

Waltham Abbey 1, Tilbury 0

(Match abandoned)

VIOLENCE flared in Saturday's Ryman Division One North clash at Waltham Abbey, with the referee abandoning the match with 15 minutes to go as he could not guarantee the safety of the players.

It is the second successive season that this fixture has ended ugly scenes, last year the match ended early with goalkeeper Brad King suffering a fractured jaw after a confrontation which saw spectators involved, and this time supporters are believed to have attacked a Tilbury player.

Last year the result stood and there were no repercussions but this time it likely the FA mount an investigation.

There seemed little hint of the drama that was to follow during the match, which was played out in relatively good humour.

Tilbury started brightly and after four minutes came close to scoring when Kurt Smith's cross-come-shot was pushed over the bar by keeper John Hickman.

Dockers had an even better chance to score on 14 minutes when Luke Stanley's cross was handballed by David Avres. Stanley took the kick himself but Hickman made an excellent diving save.

The visitors continued to hold the advantage and when a trademark Lloyd Anthony long throw caused Erkan Yusef volleyed over.

But against the run of play on 42 minutes Abbey took the lead. There appeared to be little danger when Matthew Attard punted the ball forward, but Jay Taylor misjudged its flight and keeper Paul Agu came out of his box to retrieve the situation, only for the ball to roll between his legs and present the Abbots' debutant Dean Perry with the chance to roll the ball into an empty net.

Just before half time there as almost a instant reply, but Kurt Smith's shot was saved by Hickman to cap an outstanding first half for former Hornchuch keeper.

In their last match Abbey conceded eight goals and they were determined to keep a clean sheet this time - fighting a staunch rearguard action for much of the second half.

Tilbury threw plenty at them, including substitutes Andre Humphrey and new signing Chris Stowe - who has joined from Concord Rangers where he netted ten goals this season - but they couldn't find a way through.

And when they did, Hickman was in great form, pulling off another fine stop to deny Kurt Smith's well struck free kick.

It was on a rare break on 75 minutes that the trouble erupted after a rash challenge deep in his own half by Anthony on Marc Sontag. The two players got into a scuffle on the floor and Anthony lost his cool, striking out at the Abbey player.

That prompted Sontag's brother Lee to race across the pitch and land a haymaker on Anthony and a melee ensued.

Referee Lloyd Wood sorted it out, first sending off Anthony and then Lee Sontag, who raced after the Tilbury youngster and followed him into the dressing room, where an altercation broke out, Anthony emerging covered in blood and clearly dazed.

Further ugly scenes followed as players and club officials from boths side got involved.

Mr Wood sent both teams to the dressing room and, after consulting with the FA, announced the match had been abandoned.

Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Lloyd Anthony, Nathan Philip, Marc Clarey, Erkan Yusuf (Andre Humphrey), James Twist, Jay Taylor, Babatunde Olagumju (Chris Stowe), Luke Stanley, Kurt Smith.

Ryman Division One North Up to and inc Sat Oct 27