Banbury Utd 1 (Howards 6) Slough Tn 2 (Harris 15, 44)

(abandoned after 45 mins)

Banbury United face a hefty fine and a possible points deduction after Saturday’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division match at home to Slough had to be abandoned following an attack on the referee.

A teenager, identfied as a Banbury fan, threw an empty plastic water bottle at referee Lee Sheridan as he walked off the field at half-time.

After being taken ill in the dressing roon, the referee, who had fallen to the ground following the incident, abandoned the game because he said he did not feel fit enough to continue.

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The police were called and spoke to the suspect, but made no arrests.

Banbury manager Paul Davis, who was speaking to the official as he walked off at half-time, said: “It’s a disgusting thing to happen at any football match, but we will now have to await the consequences of this action.

“I expect the league will impose a big fine on the club, but even if we had had enough stewards, it would have been difficult to prevent such a idiotic action.

“I hope we are not docked points, because this had nothing to do with the players.”

An official statement from Banbury, issuejust after the game, said: “The club will carry out a full investigation into the half-time incident and co-operate with the relevant authorities.”

The Southern League have not yet spoken about the incident. The match is expected to be replayed in midweek later in the season.

In the game itself, Banbury took a sixth-minute lead through Leam Howards, but Slough replied through Scott Harris in the 15th and 44th minutes.

Banbury United: Bedwell, Cray, Lynn, Martin, White, Westbrook, Walcott, Hawtin, Shama, Howards, Browne. Subs not used: Fishwick, Tappin, Mzungwana,Hartigan Jervis.

Attendance: 380.

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