Another dismal day for Oldham football

ACTION STATIONS . . . Heyside’s Daniel Dunn (blue and white striped shirt) tracks a Failsworth Dynamos opponent during the abandoned clash. PICTURE: PAUL STERRITT

IT seems like abandoned matches are becoming something of the norm these days.

The latest victim was the Manchester Cup second round tie between Heyside and Failsworth Dynamos.

What should have been a showpiece encounter between two local teams from different leagues was abandoned with 20 minutes left.

Huddersfield and District League Second Division high-flyers Heyside were leading by the only goal against Failsworth Dynamos of the Lancashire Amateur League’s Premier Division when the game was halted by ref Dave Wardle.

After a word with the Dynamo captain to bring calm to proceedings, a further verbal exchange followed and Wardle left the pitch, offering no comment except: “It’s for the FA to deal with.”

Heyside manager Geoff Howard said: “It was actually quite a good game, but we are all feeling a little flat because I thought we would have gone on to win. We will have to wait and see what happens next.”

Dynamos’ manager Wayne Kennedy said: “There was absolutely nothing in it and I don’t think it should have been abandoned.

“The referee asked our captain to calm our players down, which he did, and then the next thing he walks off and the game is over.”

This latest abandonment was the third in four weeks. The County FA is already investigating both previous games.