Non-League match descends into CHAOS as a steward is PUNCHED by pitch invader following last-minute equaliser… with the referee hit by a smoke bomb thrown from the stands
- Barnet and Wealdstone drew 1-1 in the National League on Saturday afternoon
- Unsavory scenes followed the equalizer at the Hive Stadium in the capital
- Wanted by more than 20 clubs around the world… where will Jesse Lingard end up? Listen to the It all starts Transferweek podcast
A referee was hit by a smoke bomb and a steward was punched by a fan as a National League match descended into chaos on Saturday.
Barnet hosted Wealdstone in a match where a win could have seen the hosts move into the top two of the table as they look to secure a long-awaited return to the Football League.
Dean Brennan’s side led 1-0 thanks to a goal from Callum Stead, but could not hold on to the three points. Corie Andrews conceded a goal in the 100th minute that caused jubilant scenes in the away match.
However, celebrations spilled out onto the Hive’s playing field, with supporters taking to the pitch as the cheering turned to unsavory scenes well into stoppage time.
Footage appears to show a supporter on the ground with a steward, who had entered the field as per regulation to try to stop the intruder and remove him from the field.
A National League match descended into chaos on Saturday when a pitch intruder struck a steward
![Non-League match descends into CHAOS as a steward is PUNCHED by pitch invader following last-minute equaliser... with the referee hit by a smoke bomb thrown from the stands 2 Players from both teams and another supporter were forced to separate the pair amid the unsavory scenes](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1707044459_642_Non-League-match-descends-into-CHAOS-as-a-steward-is-PUNCHED.jpg)
Players from both teams and another supporter were forced to separate the pair amid the unsavory scenes
WARNING: strong language
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However, you can see the fan get the upper hand on his tackler before throwing a punch while standing on top of him on the field.
It remains a criminal offense in Britain to enter the playing field.
A group of Wealdstone players then rush in to intercept the wrestling, while another fan – apparently from the home side – runs towards them to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The fans then start booing, with the intruder eventually being dragged away from the scene.
![Non-League match descends into CHAOS as a steward is PUNCHED by pitch invader following last-minute equaliser... with the referee hit by a smoke bomb thrown from the stands 4 The referee was also hit by a flare thrown from the stands, apparently from the home side](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1707044461_734_Non-League-match-descends-into-CHAOS-as-a-steward-is-PUNCHED.jpg)
The referee was also hit by a flare thrown from the stands, apparently from the home side
![Non-League match descends into CHAOS as a steward is PUNCHED by pitch invader following last-minute equaliser... with the referee hit by a smoke bomb thrown from the stands 6 The match finished 1–1 between Barnet and Wealdstone, with the visitors scoring an equalizer deep into stoppage time](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1707044463_737_Non-League-match-descends-into-CHAOS-as-a-steward-is-PUNCHED.jpg)
The match finished 1–1 between Barnet and Wealdstone, with the visitors scoring an equalizer deep into stoppage time
That wasn’t all, however: the referee was hit by a smoke bomb in the aftermath of the goal.
More images show a fan running onto the field in celebration, while an orange flare appears to be thrown into the ground on the field from the home team.
It appears to make contact with referee Dale Baines’ left shoulder, with the referee stumbling in shock as he watches the flare fall to the ground.
Both Barnet and Wealdstone were contacted for comment.