Walk-off wrecks Masters semi-final - Goalkeeper red-carded, teammates quit

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

The 2011 Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League was hit with controversy when the much-anticipated second-leg semi-final between First Choice and Napoli, which was being played on Sunday in Flankers, ended in disarray after just five minutes.

The end came when referee Ricardo Sailsman red-carded Napoli's goalkeeper, Kingsley James.

His teammates, angered by the referee's action, walked off the field in protest, causing a premature end to the game.

"This matter will be referred to the competition's steering committee for a ruling," said Bryan Miller, the competition's coordinator.

"If the committee rules against Napoli, First Choice will be awarded the game with three points and three goals, which would earn them a place in the final," he added.

In the other second-leg semi-final game, between Challenger and Anchovy, the Challenger outfit marched into the final after snatching a 1-0 win to take the two-way tie 3-2 on aggregate. The first-leg game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Tough game

"It was a tough game and the rain-drenched playing surface did not help," said Ricky Warburton, the player-coach of Challenger. "However, thankfully, we got the only goal in the game, which was enough to give us victory."

In a keenly contested game, Challenger got the all-important goal from the boots of their wily striker, David Gordon, midway the first half.

Anchovy looked rather ominous in the early stages, with the wily Herbert Reid testing the Challenger defence with his speed. However, lack of quality support from his teammates resulted in many positive-looking breaks coming to nothing.

Midway the half, Challenger gradually began to find their range with Andrew Edwards and Gordon combining well to unsettle the Anchovy defence. In the 26th minute, Gordon found an opening and fired home, making the half-time score 1-0.

Anchovy should have pulled level a minute into the second half when Liston Williams got away before the goal, but fired his powerful shot just wide of the goal.

Challenger countered a minute later when Gordon got away before the goal, but he, too, was off target.

The competition's final is slated for Sunday at Jarrett Park. The winner will take home the Steve Bucknor Trophy and individual gold medals, while the members of the losing team will receive silver medals.