- Crewe’s League Two match with Notts County was delayed by the presence of police
- Traveling County fans were angry with the match officials for awarding a late penalty
- DOMINIC KING: I don’t understand what football is anymore – It all comes to the surface
Chaos broke out during Crewe’s 1-0 win against Notts County on Saturday when an injury time penalty provoked supporters and police entered the pitch as the match was stopped.
The League Two fixture lasted a whopping 119 minutes as Courtney Baker-Richardson secured victory for the hosts with a controversial penalty that sent traveling fans into an uproar.
Referee Simon Mather retired with discomfort three minutes into the announced four-minute stoppage time, with the score still level, as both teams tried for a late winner.
Due to his injury, the end of the match had to be postponed even further, with the match official unable to continue and having to leave.
A penalty decision in the 98th minute then angered the visiting Notts County supporters, who watched the foul play at the other end of the Mornflake Stadium.
Police had to enter the pitch during the League Two match between Crewe and Notts County on Saturday
Crewe’s Courtney Baker-Richardson scored an injury time penalty to win the match for the hosts
Officials were shouted at by traveling supporters for awarding the penalty that decided the match
After the match was abandoned, police were seen on the pitch among players and match officials
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County striker Ryan Cooney’s cross hit the raised arm of Jodi Jones and the linesman waved for a penalty, but there was a delay in the assistant raising his flag.
Furious fans mobbed the assistant who had decided to award the penalty and some in the stands reportedly tried to enter the pitch to confront the team of match officials.
Police arrived to reinforce the match stewards who were trying to control the disorder and there was visible and audible discontent among the stands at the decision made at such a crucial stage of the match.
Projectiles were reportedly thrown at the referees, while derogatory chants could be heard from the other side.
Some police officers made their way onto the pitch and chatted with players and match officials as the match was stopped after one of the linesmen refused to cross the line.
Concerned assistants Darren Wilding and Danny Gratton were protected by police who approached them, while other members of uniformed officers stood in the stands in front of the County fans.
The game was stopped after County supporters raged at match officials from the stands and police were called
The police arrive to support the stewards and try to keep the mood in the relief area of the site under control
The break in the match continued and neither assistant reportedly wanted to stand in the half with the traveling supporters.
The match eventually restarted in the 109th minute after tempers had calmed and the full-time whistle finally blew almost 10 minutes later as the hosts sealed three points.
Players and match officials returned to the dressing rooms to raucous scenes, as conflicting emotions were expressed by both groups of supporters.
Crewe’s late winner saw them leapfrog Notts County into fourth place in the League Two standings and two points clear.