There was confusion and bedlam at the Golden Grove ground Saturday night as the East Coast Mash Cup ended under a controversial cloud, with Ann’s Grove being declared the winner by the referees to end a tense sudden death penalty shootout against Dynamic FC.
Several factors inclusive of a mammoth crowd that encroached the playing area during the penalty shoot-out, and the arrival of police officers to apprehend a player, added to the chaos which led to the unfortunate end, as home side Dynamic FC walked off the playing area, and refused to continue the fixture, prompting the referees to eventually award the match to the visitors based on the tournament rules. The score at the ill-fated end of the contest was 7-7 with Ann’s Grove needing to convert and seal the victory after the home side had missed their previous attempt at the distance. The initial section of the penalty shoot-out finished 3-3. The referees were initially advised by the promoters of the tournament and the police to abandon the fixture due to the intrusion of the crowd on the playing. Following consultation with the coaches of both teams, the referees opted to conclude the fixture utilizing the tournament rules.