PUNCHES were thrown by a player and parents from a visiting youth football team during a match against Newport U16s.

The incident kicked off during yesterday (Sunday)'s match at Newport Football Club when a player from Paulsgrove Youth FC was sent off.

The teenage player was initially spoken to by the referee for a tackle, but was sent off when he hurled abusive language at the referee, the County Press has been told.

Witnesses said the player stormed off the pitch and threw a traffic cone towards the Newport spectators.

Stuart Sullivan, assistant manager of Newport U16s, said: "After a few jeers from the spectators, the player then went into the stand, closely followed by Paulsgrove supporters and all hell broke out, with their player and parents swinging punches at our spectators.

"I am nearly 50. I have been playing football since I was nine and I have never see anything like this.

"Parents from the Paulsgrove side followed him into the stand and, rather than pulling him back, they joined in themselves, throwing punches.

"The referee rushed over and was then assaulted by a Paulsgove parent — scenes like these should never have to be witnessed at a football match.

"Among our supporters in the stands were young children who were in tears.

"It was also found that some damage had been done to the away changing room when Paulsgrove left the premises — tiles smashed off the walls and a door punched."

A spokesperson for Paulsgrove Youth FC said the club was looking into the incident and will deal with it accordingly.

Paulsgrove, who are top of the Portsmouth Premier Division, have won all their league games in the last two years.

Newport U16s were drawn against them in the fourth round of the Hampshire Cup.

Mr Sullivan said: "We knew it was going to be a close game, but no one could imagine what was going to happen."

Paulsgrove scored the first goal, but Newport equalised after 25 minutes when Ben Snow scored from close range following a Newport corner.

The second half saw Newport take the lead in the 50th minute with a goal from Brad Thompson.

It was in the 58th minute that the game was stopped for 15 minutes following the ugly scenes in the stands.

Mr Sullivan said: "After everything had calmed down, we were advised by the referee that if the game was abandoned, then the likely outcome would have been a replay — having just witnessed what we did, a replay was the last thing we wanted, so we decided to play on but on the basis that if anything happened again, we would take our players from the field of play.

"After a 15 minute stoppage in play, the game resumed, though both our supporters and players felt very intimidated on what could happen next.

"Football is about enjoyment — you should not have to play in fear of what might happen from the sidelines.

"With Paulsgrove pressing for an equaliser, the Newport defence stood firm until the last five minutes when Paulsgrove scored.

"As you can imagine, Paulsgrove players went wild in delight."

The game finished 2-2 and went straight to penalties.

Ben Timbrell scored first for Newport, followed by a Paulsgrove goal.

Jake Wright then scored for Newport, followed by Fraser Law saving a Paulsgrove attempt.

Aidan Sheerin then scored for Newport, followed by another goal saved by Fraser Law.

Harry Cheek also scored for Newport, and Newport won on penalties and sending Newport through to the quarter finals.

Mr Sullivan said: "A great result for Newport, but unfortunately this was marred by the ugly scenes witnessed during the second half.

"I would like to commend the three officials (referee and two linesmen) on how they dealt with these very unpleasant scenes, something I am sure they have never had to deal with before — I am sure Hampshire FA will be receiving a lengthy report from the referee."

Hampshire FA have been informed and will be investigating the incident.

Watch Newport's four penalties scored and the two penalties their keeper saved: