Wingate & Finchley have five sent off to abandon Kick It Out match against Thurrock

WINGATE & FINCHLEY brought shame to The Ryman Football League on a weekend that they were supposed to be supporting the Kick It Out campaign.


The League selected three games over this weekend in a campaign billed as Isthmians Against Discrimination.

Aveley’s home game against Waltham Forest was postponed on Friday night due to a waterlogged pitch, and Maidstone United remain six points clear at the top of Division One South table following their 3-0 home win over Tooting & Mitcham United.

But today’s Ryman Premier League relegation battle between Wingate & Finchley and Thurrock ended in extraordinary circumstances when it was abandoned after 82 minutes when a fifth Wingate & Finchley player was sent off, leaving them unable to field the legal minimum of seven players.

Seven minutes into the second half, Ahmet Rifat was sent off for violent conduct in an off-the-ball incident.

Nine minutes later a foul by Osa Obamwonyi earned him a yellow card, and a red once since he had been cautioned early in the game for handling.

The offence also produced a Thurrock penalty, which Stuart Thurgood converted for what would be the only goal of the game.

A wild challenge from behind by Ronayne Marsh-Brown had referee Sam Purkiss reaching for his red card again in the 72^nd minute and Jon Christian departed seven minutes later, earning his second yellow for kicking the ball away.

When Scott Shulton received his marching orders for his language to the referee the game had to end.

A statement by The Ryman Football League said: “It is believed to be the first time in the League’s 108-year history that a game has been abandoned for this reason.

”The League will make a decision about the result of the game at the earliest opportunity.”

Thurrock, who occupy one of the two relegation berths, must now play seventeen league games before the league season comes to an end on 27 April.

Visit the Ryman League website: www.isthmian.co.uk