Chaos reigns at the Jim Owen, as the first game after Barney’s passing ended unceremoniously with the referee abandoning play as the boys were 2-0 up against the visitors.
Following a minutes applause for our fallen comrades, a quick one-two punch of Tom Calver and Luke Lewis got the Excelsiors into a comfortable lead against a very game AFC Machen, who were all guns blazing right from the off. With tensions flaring and tackles flying with little hesitation, things erupted into an all out brawl on our home turf and despite the substitution of Excelsiors Captain, Brett Morgan, Machen would not be denied their fight as they again pursued a scrap and bitter-fuelled tackles.
With the referee losing control of the game, Machen decided enough was enough and left the pitch, even though the 1sts attempted to continue play. The official then decided to call time on the game at just over 70 minutes played, with the outcome now being up in the air until the referee and the league decide what ruling shall stand.