BISTERNE UNITED 2

BEAMINSTER 0

Match abandoned

BEAMINSTER’S Dorset Senior League match at Bisterne United was abandoned after a scuffle broke out 60 minutes into the contest.

Bisterne were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Karol Rog and Scott Walters before the flashpoint that led to the game’s abandonment.

The Bridport News understands punches were allegedly thrown after a Beaminster attack ended near the Bisterne goal, the Rainbows claiming a foul.

Onlookers said players from both sides then moved to break up the fracas, but the situation escalated when a spectator ran on to the pitch.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports Reserves 2-2 Beaminster - report

Match officials were said to have successfully calmed the players but Bisterne debutant Bradley Hines and Beaminster’s Noah House were sent off. Hines is understood to have departed the Beavers.

After taking the respective managers to one side, officials asked the teams if they wanted to continue.

Bisterne accepted their red card but asked for Beaminster’s dismissal to be rescinded. However, as this was not possible, the match was consequently abandoned.

Both the Dorset County FA and the Hampshire FA must now deal with the matter before handing over to the Dorset Football League to decide on whether a replay is needed or if points will be awarded.

Beaminster manager Neil Holt, whose side remain bottom of the table, was “full of praise” for Bisterne’s handling of the scuffle.

He said: “It’s a bit of a bizarre situation. The game was being played in the right spirit and this came out of nowhere.

“I think we were getting back into the game but I’m full of praise for Bisterne for the way they handled the situation.”

Bisterne boss Johny Bines has worked hard to establish a friendly feel at the club.

He said: “We were all able to sit down and have a beer afterwards.

“There was no malice in the game, nothing crazy and no bad blood. I’m proud of my boys and the coaches for how they diffused the situation.

“There was a tackle that happened, not a bad tackle, because the player broke through.

“They just started throwing hands. The mad thing about it was that it was such a shock for everyone.

“It’s just sad because it was such a great game. It just wasn’t that kind of game to turn into what happened.

“Beaminster acted in the right way and we’ve got no issue. At Bisterne we’ve never been known for anything like that.

“It’s annoying because I’ve tried so hard to build an ethos at the club and we’ve been let down.”