Endeavor United’s David Schulberg fires the ball forward.By Paul Pickering
A SPITEFUL brawl between spectators at Reema Reserve caused a Football Federation Victoria (FFV) State League Three South-East match between Endeavour United and Nunawading City to be abandoned midway through the second half on Saturday.
Endeavour United was leading 1-0 when referee Tony Mastrolembo decided to call the match off at the 65 minute-mark after a disturbance in the crowd escalated into a scuffle between half a dozen spectators.
United president David Reeves said the off-field altercation had nothing to do with any ill-feeling between the teams on the pitch, but the game was abandoned in a bid to prevent any further violence.
Police attended the venue but no charges were laid.
FFV communications coordinator Mark van Aken said the league was investigating the incident.
“We will be seeking statements from both teams and also input from the police. If there is sufficient grounds the matter will then go to the tribunal,” he said.
“Crowd violence is something we quite seriously have zero tolerance for, and the tribunal has been very consistent of late in handing out some hefty penalties.”
While the investigation process will also determine whether the match will be replayed, van Aken said it would be unlikely given the circumstances.
As the Star went to print, Endeavour United was preparing to take on second-placed Frankston Strikers in last night’s (Wednesday’s) fixture at Darebin International before heading to Fairfield Park to play Fitzroy City on Saturday.
The likely loss of three points from Saturday’s abandoned match could prove costly for United, which sits just four points out of the top two.
In other results over the weekend, Doveton defeated Sandringham City 2-1 at Waratah Reserve courtesy of goals from Leon Buhic and Reha Ulusoy.
Berwick City travelled to Gardeners Creek Reserve to meet the top-of-the-table Eastern Lions, only to go down 2-0.
Meanwhile, a hat-trick from Southern Suburbs sharpshooter Robert Nicovski buried Springvale City 3-1 at Ross Reserve.
Saturday’s match-ups see Doveton and Berwick City playing host to competition leaders Eastern Lions and Frankston Strikers respectively, while Springvale City will be looking to feed on the lowly Mooroolbark at Esther Park Reserve.
