Atherstone v Hinckley abandoned during penalty shootout after fan attacks player

Atherstone Town v Hinckley AFC had to be abandoned during a penalty shootout after a fan encroaches the pitch and attacks a player.

Shocking scenes played out at the Pointons Community Stadium in the semi-final of the Midlands Premier League Cup.

It was the first A5 Classico since March 2019, with a big crowd in for this one, only for it to be ruined by a minority.

Atherstone tweeted: “The shoot out has had to be abandoned due to Hinckley fans invading the pitch attacking Atherstone players. Atherstone were leading at the time. Disgusting.”

Hinckley wrote: “Callum Carsley next up for Atherstone… SAVED! And then some muppet decides to run on the pitch, spoiling what’s been a great occasion so far
ATH ❌❌✅❌
HIN ❌❌✅

“ABANDONED | The pitch invader has been removed, but the referee has abandoned the game with only three penalties left of the shootout.”

Trouble breaks out in the penalty shoot-out between @FCAtherstone and @hinckley_afc . The match has been suspended #NonLeague #groundhopping pic.twitter.com/NfdcNf6poW

— M O T O H 🎃 P P E R (@kc_mcqueen) April 19, 2023

Atherstone lead after 17 minutes, Ryan Quinn converting from the spot after Matt Dawson’s foul on Chris Cowley was adjudged to be inside the box.

There was a momentary pause in the game to allow Isa Abraham to break his fast. Since the goal Hinckley have gone close through Tom Weale but it remained Atherstone 1-0 Hinckley.

Ryan Quinn’s penalty was all that separated the sides at the break after an even first 45 minutes with very little to choose between the sides Tom Weale had Hinckley’s best chance of getting a leveller when he struck wide from close range.

Ky Green headed home in the last minute to take the game to spot kicks.

Atherstone managed the second half well and ensured hardly any chances for either side in the second half, until Ky Green came in with a bullet header from a corner in his second game back after nearly two years out.

How penalties played out…

Atherstone to go first in the shootout… James Matthews, brought on as a 97th minute sub, SAVED BY BELFORD!
ATH ❌
HIN

Danny Fraser first up for Hinckley… saved. All level after one each
ATH ❌
HIN ❌

Chris Cowley for Atherstone… SAVED AGAIN BY BELFORD!
ATH ❌❌
HIN ❌

Sam Ellis for Hinckley… and another one saved. Still all square
ATH ❌❌
HIN ❌❌

Ryan Quinn for Atherstone… scored a spot kick in the game itself, and scores again
ATH ❌❌✅
HIN ❌❌

Lewis Rankin for Hinckley… scores!
ATH ❌❌✅
HIN ❌❌✅

Callum Carsley next up for Atherstone… SAVED! And then some muppet decides to run on the pitch, spoiling what’s been a great occasion so far
ATH ❌❌✅❌
HIN ❌❌✅

And that is where the game was abandoned.

@kc_mcqueen writes: “Trouble breaks out in the penalty shoot-out between @FCAtherstone and @hinckley_afc. The match has been suspended.

“Looks like the game has been abandoned, since the ref blew the final whistle. Don’t even know whether he he gave the last penalty as a goal or a save. Floodlights just been turned off.

“Just spoke to the keeper who confirmed the ref gave that last penalty as a save.

“Sounds like those who caused the trouble were not connected with either club.”

Atherstone Town Community FC said this morning: “After last night’s abandoned MPLC semi-final we await the decision of the @MidlandLeague as to what the outcome of the tie will be. One mindless individual totally spoilt a gripping derby game by attacking a player, not what we want to see associated with football at any level.”

This is what fans said as Atherstone v Hinckley abandoned during penalty shootout after fan attacks a player…

@jane36london: Real shame it was abandoned as it looked like a real nailbiting end to a game!

@GraysBoro19: Ball over the line …let’s fight 🤣🤣🤣

@YamYamLukeyT: Fair play to the lino for making sure keepers were on the line for the penalties. Idiots at the end though.

@wtshrewisaway: Absolute bellends 😑

@AHERNEB: Leicestershire football at its worst 🤷‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

@PB1872: Never ever seen a game abandoned during a penalty shootout before!

@BadgersUcl: WTAF 😳 match abandoned midway through the penalty shootout…. As a side point the keepers might as well be on the penalty spot when the penalties are actually taken 🙄

@Jackalbion96: Mental scenes

@YouYeltz: Can’t believe there’s crowd trouble at an Atherstone game – whatever next 🙄

@zga_1997: What the actual fuck 😂

@JurgLFC: FFS 🙄

@SBoulstridge: Well, if take the example set from the Tamworth – Nuneaton game, the match should be replayed, behind closed doors from minute 1.

@staffsref: Non-league is becoming a soft target for numpties who want to cause bother at football; cheap, limited security, better access to alcohol and rarely segregation.

@justinbrogan_: Seen them lads walking round ground singing Leicestershire , 🛎️ ends to the highest order

@pompeyjones92: It annoys that some deranged idiots want to bring their football league s*** to non league football!! Really are some brain dead idiots out there.

@TossGherkins: Good job it got abandoned them penos were fucking shocking