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Southern Counties East League match between Lydd Town and Fisher abandoned after Lydd says supporters “entered the pitch to abuse several players”, Fisher dispute claim

A Southern Counties East Premier Division game was abandoned on Saturday after one club claimed supporters entered the pitch to abuse opposition players.

The claim was made in a statement issued by Lydd Town after their home match with Fisher was abandoned in stoppage time.

Action from Bearsted’s 3-2 Southern Counties East home win over Erith Town on Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell
Action from Bearsted’s 3-2 Southern Counties East home win over Erith Town on Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell

A statement from Lydd said: “Unfortunately, the referee had decided to abandon the game due to a numerous number of supporters from the opposition entered the pitch to abuse several players of the Lydd Team verbally and physically.

“Lydd Town do not condone verbal or physical assault of any kind. The Lydd Town players involved will be dealt with internally for their retaliation to the opposition’s supporters.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to the management team of Fisher for their numerous attempts to diffuse the situation and wish them luck for the rest of the season.”

Fisher later responded with a statement of their own, stating that they have video evidence which shows no “Fisher supporters crossing the perimeter barriers or entering the field of play”.

Their statement reads: “Today’s game was abandoned deep in injury time. Fisher were leading 3-2 at the time having just gone ahead from a penalty.

“Almost from the restart a Fisher attack led to a second penalty being awarded. Before this could be taken a melee between players occurred close to perimeter fencing behind which seven Fisher supporters were stood.

“The melee eventually subsided with a player from both sides receiving a red card. As the Fisher players then waited to take the penalty a further red card was shown to another opposition player and the referee then blew the whistle to abandon the game without the penalty being taken.

“We have video footage of the incident which we note does not show any Fisher supporters crossing the perimeter barriers or entering the field of play and will supply this footage to the authorities investigating the incident.”

Lydd had raced into a two-goal lead in the first 17 minutes thanks to Eri Akintimehim and Dean Grant. But a Thomas Ngegba brace either side of half-time and a Callum Flynn penalty in stoppage time turned the game on its head.

Fisher had Manny Shoderu sent off in the first half while Lydd were reduced to 10 men after conceding the late penalty when Ronnie Dolan received his marching orders.

It overshadowed another exciting day of action in the league, with the top two sides meeting at Foxbury Avenue.

Substitute Warren Mfula’s late goal ensured Faversham stay top as they claimed a 2-2 draw at second-placed Glebe.

Kieron Campbell’s first-half goal put Faversham ahead but Glebe responded through Marcel McDonald and recent recruit Jason Banton.

Bearsted regain the lead on the stroke of half-time through Eniola Hassan. Picture: Ian Scammell
Bearsted regain the lead on the stroke of half-time through Eniola Hassan. Picture: Ian Scammell

Whitstable Town and Erith Town both missed the chance to make up ground on the top two after suffering away defeats.

After their midweek Challenge Cup loss at Kennington, Whitstable went down 4-2 at Punjab United.

Wayne Bushell put Punjab ahead and although Josh Oliver equalised, Callum Stringer’s goal put the hosts 2-1 in front at the break.

Cruis Nyadzayo and Jack Hopkins scored to make it 4-1 before Steadman Callendar’s late reply for Whitstable.

Erith Town twice came from behind at Bearsted before losing 3-2. Joel Wakefield’s early opener was cancelled out by Ladic Melconian. Eniola Hassan restored Bears’ advantage before half-time only for Harry Taylor to make it 2-2 early in the second half.

The winner came with 17 minutes left when Will Johnson-Cole scored a penalty for the home side.

Eniola Hassan celebrates after putting Bearsted 2-1 ahead against Erith Town. Picture: Ian Scammell
Eniola Hassan celebrates after putting Bearsted 2-1 ahead against Erith Town. Picture: Ian Scammell

Deal are handily placed in fifth with games in hand following a 2-0 success at Rusthall. They scored in either half through Rory Smith and Ifi Oni.

Kennington are off the bottom of the table after a 4-3 home win over Tunbridge Wells – as they bounced back trailing 2-0 inside 22 minutes.

Rory Ward and Trevor McCreadie appeared to have put Wells in charge.

But four goals in 17 second-half minutes saw Kennington triumph with Ryan Philpott (2), Tom Scorer and Harry Linch on target.

Nicky Southall’s first game in charge of Lordswood ended in defeat as they went down 4-2 at Holmesdale.

Lords trailed 2-1 inside eight minutes as Tony Musoke and Wale Odedoyin scored for the hosts, Ryan Neal equalising for Lordswood.

James Jeffrey then made it 2-2 early in the second half before goals in the last six minutes from Tola Odedoyin and Sam Bayford proved decisive for Holmesdale.

VCD collected only their third victory of the campaign as Charlie Heatley’s 33rd-minute goal was enough to see off Snodland Town.

Sutton Athletic climbed above Welling Town after a 2-1 success thanks to Marcel Brown and Jack Kirby.

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