Police launch an investigation after a number of objects were thrown at the Accrington Stanley keeper by Wrexham fans on Saturday.
Jon McCracken was targeted with four vapes and cigarette lighters as his side played out a 2-0 win their League Two home clash at the Wham Stadium.
The 23 year old, who is currently out on loan from Norwich City, thankfully escaped without injuries, but an additional 10 minutes of stoppage time were played at the end.
The incident took place at around 4:40pm, with Lancashire Police adding that the items came from one of the lower stands at the Coppice end (away supporters stand).
Ch Supt Melita Worswick, as part of the policing for the game, said: “A football match should be a family-friendly event and this type of incident, where items have been thrown at a player, is utterly unacceptable.
“We are asking anybody who can help our enquiries to get in touch. Perhaps you know who threw the items, or perhaps you caught the offender or offenders on mobile phone footage. Whatever you know, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log 463 of November 18.
Accrington ended Wrexham’s 11-game unbeaten run with Rosaire Longelo sealing the host’s win, netting from close range after Arthur Okonkwo couldn’t hold on to Jack Nolan’s shot.
Paul Mullin saw his spot kick strike the crossbar, while Tommy Leigh’s penalty just after the break put John Coleman’s side ahead.
The result means that Wrexham fall down to 4th with 33 points from 18 games, after their first defeat since September while Accrington are 7th with 29 points from 18 games played.
“We played okay in patches in the first half,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson as per The Leader.
“We played some good football and created the best moments but I still felt we could go up a gear in the second half.
“When we went to Mansfield and created chances in that game, those came on the back of a real physicality about us as a team and I didn’t think we had that physicality about us enough across the board.
“Accrington is a difficult place to come, everybody knows that, but we still had the best quality moments in that first half, and we said at half-time that we can go up a notch, there’s four or five players who can up their game.
“Unfortunately for us, the penalty decision changed it and it gave Accrington something to really hang on to and they did it really well.
“They were physical all over the pitch and we never really got into our rhythm in the second period.”
Accrington’s John Coleman said: “Our fans are delighted to win as there are so many of their fans here but, if you look at it dispassionately and without all the hype, we should be beating Wrexham at home.
“They have had an influx of money, their budget will be way above ours and they can have two recognised players for each position, but the beauty of Accrington Stanley since I walked through the door is it’s about being rich in passion, pride and desire.
“When we come off it, we are disappointed with ourselves and we have been over the last few weeks.
“Today, we were forced to shuffle the pack with the injuries we had. I said to the lads who came in that they have to be positive, it’s an opportunity they have to grab.
“I was delighted with Lewis Shipley as man of the match but there were a lot of big performances out there.
“That’s the Korede Adedoyin we signed, a constant thorn in their side. He ran himself into the ground.
“I don’t think you could fault any one of our players and give them less than an eight.
“There are always lots of chances made in this league. Keeping them out is vital and we have to be clinical when we get opportunities and thankfully we were.”
🎥 Coley on today’s game. pic.twitter.com/vY1aFTGDb4
— Accrington Stanley (@ASFCofficial) November 18, 2023
This is how twitter users reacted as police launch an investigation after objects were thrown at Accrington keeper by Wrexham fans…
@YorkiePuds44 (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Are you showing the fans who lobbed stuff at the Accy keeper in your documentary?
@dwb89: @AndyhHolt @Wrexham_AFC @VancityReynolds @RMcElhenney @ASFCofficial i was there as a natural today @Wrexham_AFC need to get a grip of some of the fans throwing stuff at the @ASFCofficial players as they are walking back into the tunnel. And at the Stanley keeper. #league2
@leah_wrexham: Not a good game for @Wrexham_AFC, but it is what it is. However, the fans throwing coins/vapes onto the pitch and the fighting after the match lets us down as fans and lets the team down. We’re better than this. #WxmAFC
@TomDGoldy: But they said they didn’t need the extra policing because they never cause trouble? 🤔 tossers
@thesauceagain: But.. but.. but… what’s the extra fiver for, we never cause trouble 😭 #OnStanleyOn
@jimcurtisbbn: Any comments on those Wrexham fans throwing missiles at Accrington goalkeeper? That’s why there are extra policing and stewarding costs. For home AND away fans
@fatgaz182: aCcRiNgToN pUt ThE pRiCe BeCaUsE hOlLyWoOd OwNeRs
@Kirst_ASFC: AND THEY WONDER WHY THEY WAS MORE POLICE?!
@hadyncity: @keevs_89 and @Deanog13 Another reason why are up the prices because some of your fans do stuff like this 👍 all because you lost a game of football 😂
@TomNicholson_: Any the wonder why they got charged £5 more
@wayneshutt: @Wrexham_AFC seems that £5 uplift was justified #wrexhamtax
@lee_passco: Travelling fans disgusting throwing stuff at t out keeper
Sarah McNaught: I wonder why we had to pay out for extra police and stewarding if the Wrexham fans are so well behaved. 🤦 You reap what you sow Wrexham fans. Don’t want to have to pay category 1 ticket prices, don’t act like a bunch of Muppets at away games, forcing clubs to have to pay out for extra police and afterwards because you can’t behave. 🤬
Malocco T Lindsey: Get the dna off the vapes if here already on record they will be found
Ray Matthews: Thought all these grounds have state of the art cameras nowadays. Can’t be that hard to go through the footage and find the culprit / culprits.
Sian Blair: Why oh why do the idiots do this!!
Tomos Futcher: Maybe you should investigate the player spitting at a Wrexham fan?
Beki Price: Three names were mentioned in a post yesterday. It’s embarrassing that this even went on. Saw a couple flying but was nowhere near the idiots to see who it was.
Melanie Haley: Hills no 5 also spat at a fan.
Stefan Corcoran: Don’t think anything was thrown until their centre half started to be a cock and kick the ball in the goal 2-3 times.
SEE MORE: Accrington chairman bites back on Twitter after his side ends Wrexham’s unbeaten run
#APPEAL | Following an incident today at the Accrington V Wrexham football match, when a goalkeeper was hit with lighters thrown from the stands at the Coppice end. Anyone with information or mobile phone footage should call 101, quoting log 463 of November 18th. pic.twitter.com/c1MqTP6zSA
— Hyndburn Police (@HyndburnPolice) November 18, 2023
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