Northern NSW Football will investigate the circumstances surrounding the unprecedented abandonment of a Herald Women’s Premier League match at Walker Fields on Sunday before deciding if the game will be replayed.
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Referee Sam Chapman called off the game, which may determine if South Wallsend make the finals, in the 30th minute after a melee involving both teams erupted from a late challenge by Wallsend’s Taylah Wilks on Wolves player Erin Wilson.
The visitors were leading 1-0 at the time.
Wilson had won the ball off Wilks deep in South Wallsend territory before the Red Devils’ winger slid in from behind.
Wilks was still on the ground when Wilson stood over her, questioning the tackle, then a scuffle broke out between the pair.
South Wallsend captain Laura Byrnes rushed in to break them apart before several other players ran in and reignited the melee.
Bystanders looked on shell-shocked as both benches called players to stop before Chapman blew the whistle to signal the end of the game.
NNSWF’s Gary Fisher said the sport’s governing body would review the referee’s match report on Monday.
“Any match that has been abandoned because of a melee is of great concern and is viewed most severely by Northern NSW Football,” Fisher said.
“No further action can be taken at this stage, or a decision on a replay, until all reports from appointed match officials are received.”
Fifth-placed South Wallsend have 19 points, one adrift of fourth-placed Mid North Coast, who lost 1-0 to Merewether at Myamblah Oval on Sunday.
Mid North Coast host competition leaders Warners Bay in the final round of the season proper on July 30. The Wolves have the bye.
South Wallsend’s only hope of making the top four and securing a finals berth will be if the game is replayed.
Wolves coach Gary Wilson, who played national league and state league football, said he had “never seen anything like that before” in reference to the decision for the game to be abandoned.
“The incident wasn’t nice but just send a couple off and get on the with the game,” Wilson said.
“It’s a big game for us and I believe it should be replayed.”
Wallsend assistant coach Strat Kapalos echoed Wilson’s sentiments, saying “it’s unheard of”.
“Up until that point I thought it was a game being played in good spirits,” he said.
In the thick of the melee were South Wallsend’s Maddy Searl and Wallsend’s Kally Lewis, who were both sent off in their round-one encounter after an altercation.
Adamstown beat Thornton 6-1 in the other game played on Sunday.