WOODCOTE Stoke Row FC could be heavily punished after their Reading Senior Cup semi-final at Binfield had to be abandoned following a brawl, writes Dave Wright.

They had four players sent off – along with two from the hosts – before the referee, Jonathan Was, decided he had seen enough with nearly 30 minutes of the tie remaining.

The Thames Valley Premier League side were leading 1-0 at the time and in with a good chance of pulling off a shock result to secure a dream appearance in the final at Madejski Stadium next month against Wokingham & Emmbrook or Bracknell Town.

But now they could be thrown out of the competition.

James Worsfold was shown the first red card when he retaliated to a challenge from Jack Broome. His side were still awarded a free-kick and it led to Sam Green giving his side a 54th-minute lead.

Five minutes later, however, Gareth Evans was shown a red card and that was soon followed by a flare-up between many players, including David Rook, who had been sitting on the subs bench.

Rook and Sam Tucker were dismissed along with Binfield pair Liam Ferdinand and Grant Kemp.

After the game, Cote manager Ross Weatherstone apologised to Binfield.

He then told the Chronicle: “I am obviously disappointed in the reaction of my players.

“This club does not condone what went on. I think it was an impulse reaction, but that still does not make it acceptable.”

But Weatherstone also wasn’t happy with the match official, claiming: “I was a bit disappointed how he managed the game from minute one. That is just not a reaction to the game at the end, it’s more based on his decisions throughout.”

Binfield manager Roger Herridge sympathised with Weatherstone, saying: “Ross is a great lad. I know he does things the right way and the majority of his team do the right things, but a small minority of his players let him down.”

The Oxfordshire FA will deal with Woodcote and Berks & Bucks FA with Binfield, with competition organiser Martin Law hoping they will make a quick decision so he can go ahead with the arrangements for the final, which will probably take place on May 20.