Top two Sunday sides go head-to-head once again
Anthony Smith • Published 10 Feb 2011 10:30
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Heat of the moment: Wrightchoice manager Simon Chandler hopes to put everything behind them this Sunday when his side meet Dee Road Rangers again in the league.
WRIGHTCHOICE manager Simon Chandler insists relations between his side and Reading Senior Division rivals Dee Road Rangers are as strong as ever as they prepare to meet this weekend in a top-of-the-table clash.
The two teams were involved in an on-field bust-up two weeks ago in the Berks & Bucks Cup Intermediate Cup fifth round tie.
And even though calm was quickly restored, the game was abandoned after just 17 minutes when the B&B official refused to restart the game, leaving around 150 spectators stranded at Cintra Park.
Now Chandler believes the decision has sent out the wrong message about themselves and Dee Road, insisting the clubs are, in fact, intrinsically linked and important members of the local community.
"Dee Road don't have a youth set-up so a lot of their players' children play for our youth teams," explained Chandler.
"In fact, we're all friends and what happened in that game was just one of those things you see happen 20 times every weekend. It was just a bit of pushing, no punches were thrown, and it all calmed down pretty quickly.
"But the referee wouldn't speak with us and refused to play the game which leaves a bad impression."
Both clubs could now be hit with hefty fines by the B&B FA who are investigating the incident. That would be a further insult to Chandler, who forked out £120 for the cost of the match referee and the pitch, even though the game was abandoned.
And he insisted there was nothing but good feeling between the clubs.
"There was a lovely atmosphere," he said. "Even after the game finished supporters and families from both teams had a drink and a chat for a couple of hours. We put on some food and music and we all had a great time.
"It would have been nice if the referee could have joined us, but he shot off in a hurry. Everyone was in total disbelief as to why the game finished the way it did. I just don't think the referee was up to the job."
And he added: "In the last five years we have never been involved in anything like this, not one incident.
"We've won the Fair Play league and we never intimidate people. We've climbed up the divisions and been successful because of the way we play football.
"And Dee Road also deserve respect because there haven't been any recent problems with them either. When something like this happens it's unfortunate on the people who work so hard for both clubs."
Another bumper crowd is expected on Sunday when leaders Dee Road face second-placed Wrightchoice again (10.30am ko).
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 10 Feb 11
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