A wild brawl, which started when members of the crowd ran on to the field, saw Saturday’s quarter-final blockbuster between Tamworth FC and North Armidale Redmen abandoned 10 minutes from full time. When the referee called off the match, the Redmen were in front 2-nil.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After an emergency meeting on Monday night, the Northern Inland Premier League board decided North would go through to the next round courtesy of their 2-nil buffer. Tensions were already high after the reserve grade match, which Tamworth FC won 2-1.
A scuffle broke out at the end of that game and Tamworth FC coach Wayne May was ejected from the ground.
May allegedly parked himself behind the North Armidale goal keeper with son Brent for the first grade match, and both men were allegedly vocal towards the North keeper.
Andrew McGann gave North a 1-nil lead after 15 minutes after breaking away and getting one-on-one with the Tamworth FC keeper.
Tensions continued to escalate and another of May’s sons Jarryd, was sent off after a second yellow card.
With 10 minutes remaining, Nick Griffith gave the Redmen a 2-nil buffer after finishing off a cross into the box and tempers finally boiled over.
The celebration from the North keeper had both Wayne and Brent May on the field.
It is alleged other members of the crowd were involved as well.
North coach Andy Lennon said it was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
“I’ve played and coached all over the state and never come across anything like that in my life,” he said.
Lennon said it was disappointing for the match to end that way.
“It was a shame to finish like that,” he said.
“I’m really surprised they did what they did because they were starting to get on top a little bit before our second goal.”
On the positive side Lennon said it was a good effot by his side.
“I’m really proud of the way the boys played,” he said.
“We changed our setup in defence and that worked really well.
“We started well and our structure was excellent.”
Tyla Cook was again tremendous for the Redmen as was Jason Boundy.
“They were all really good,” Lennon said.
“It was a huge win for us.
“It was really important to get that home semi.”
North has this weekend off as they wait the winner of Oxley Vale Attunga and Joeys FC.
The other two Armidale teams in action suffered mixed results.
South Armidale are through after a 4-3 win over Gunnedah United, but East Armidale bowed out after a 3-nil loss to Oxley Vale Attunga.
