Football chiefs probe Shropshire cup clash smoke bomb incident

Football chiefs have launched an investigation after a smoke bomb was thrown onto a pitch during a cup match between teams from Telford and Oswestry.

The missile was thrown on the pitch during the Dyke Yaxley Shropshire Sunday Premier Cup quarter final clash between Oswestry's Oak Inn and Telford's Randlay Farmhouse 09, in Oswestry on Sunday.

The match, which Randlay won 4-3 on penalties, was played at Morda United's Weston Road Ground.

As well as the smoke bomb, complaints have also been made about threatening and drunken behaviour by some of the match spectators.

Neil Sambrook, Shropshire FA's general manager, said they were waiting for reports from the clubs, the referee and two Shropshire FA officials that were watching the match.

He said: "I've had a report from an official at Morda complaining about the behaviour of Randlay's supporters.

"There was an instance of crowd disorder.

"Once we get a referee's report, a decision will be made whether a charge will be brought for failing to control supporters.

"It has been indicated that there was a smoke bomb thrown from the stands."

Graham Sutton, manager of Oak Inn FC, said that about 45 Randlay fans were present.

Michael Roberts, assistant manager at Randlay, said manager Alex Mincher had approached the club's supporters to ask them to calm down when a smoke bomb was thrown.

He added: "We don't condone throwing smoke bombs on the pitch.

"If I'd known they had them before then it wouldn't have happened.

"We went back to their pub after the game and there was no animosity between us at all as far as I'm concerned."

Randlay won the game 4-3 on penalties after it had finished witha scoreline of 2-2 after extra time.

They are now due to face Plough Inn (Wellington) on Sunday in the semi-final of the competition at Shifnal Town's Phoenix Park.

Oak Inn play football in the North Shropshire Sunday League while Randlay compete in the Telford Sunday League.

See also:

• Smoke bomb thrown on pitch in Shropshire cup clash