CALNE Town will face action over the ugly brawl that marred their celebrations after last weekend’s Wiltshire Senior Cup final at Hardenhuish Park.

The Lilywhites beat the Wessex League’s Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2-1 but as they launched into celebrations after the final whistle, goalkeeper Steve Allison clashed with a number of Harlequins players.

Punches were exchanged between both sides and the Wiltshire Football Association have confirmed that both clubs will be charged with gross misconduct.

“We’re still waiting to receive reports from all of the match officials but both sides will be charged,” said county secretary Mike Benson.

“Because there were so many Wiltshire FA representatives present, the case will be heard by an external association, which is what usually happens in these situations. Until the disciplinary commission looks at it, I can’t say if the sides will be fined or suspended.

“You don’t want to see it at any game, let alone a cup final.”

Referee Paul Collier issued red cards to Allison and Bemerton defender Joe Fisher for their part in the melee and Benson confirmed that both will also be charged with violent conduct.

Town joint-boss Jeff Roberts is hoping that his side can bring the dream of promotion true after lifting the county cup.

In the Toolstation League First Division, Roberts and Drew Youngsam’s men are nervously waiting to see if Gillingham Town will overturn a four-point gap and pip them to third place.

With a restructuring of the league set to take place this summer, Roberts believes that his team could still clinch an unlikely promotion, and said: “There are rumours that three teams might go up so we’re still looking at the Gillingham results and seeing if they drop three points.

“We’ve only lost one from the last nine, it’s just shame we had a bit of a blip in January and February but the teams at the top have that bit of consistency.

“Our aim at the start of the season was to try and get back up to that Premier Division, so it’s a shame if we don’t get there.”

Gillingham take on Portishead Town this weekend and Keynsham Town next Tuesday.

On Saturday, Calne’s afternoon got off to the perfect start when Tyler Sibbick beat the offside trap and raced towards goal less than a minute in.

But, as he looked to set himself for the shot, the striker went down under the challenge of Bemerton’s Graham Mankin, with the referee wasting no time in pointing to the spot.

Once the protests against the decision had been waved away, Sibbick stepped up and sent keeper Fred Toomer the wrong way to give his side an early lead.

Twenty minutes in, Sibbick showed some smart close control in the Harlequins area before laying the ball off to strike partner Levi Cox, who smashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Bemerton reduced the deficit late in the first period when Danny Young turned Jack Eves’ ball into the net and, despite putting the Lilywhites under pressure in the second half, they couldn’t find a way past the stout Calne defence.

“We said to the lads that we had to take the game to them and in the first 15, 20 minutes we did – we put them under pressure and they made silly mistakes that we capitalised on,” said Roberts.

“We’ve had a long, hard season and I thought the lads ground it out well – they thoroughly deserve the cup.”

Roberts added: “It was a shame what happened at the final whistle but once we got in the changing room it was all forgotten.”

Chippenham Town Company Secretary Barry Stephens added: “I was disgusted. We spent a lot of time organising what was a showpiece event, only for it to be spoiled by the incidents after the game.”

Calne Town: Steve Allison, Jake Jeffries, Craig Kent, Lee Stevens, Dan Jones, Dan Lardner (C), Rob Pocock (Nathan Phillimore 72), Jordan Roberts, Levi Cox, Tyler Sibbick, Alex Rigley (Kyle Rigley 72).

Subs not used: Glenn Armstrong, Jamie Bartlett, Ryan Welland.

Referee: Paul Collier (Wiltshire).

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