A YOUTH football match was abandoned because it threatened to boil over into violence, it is claimed.

The under-16s game, at Lyppard Grange, Warndon Villages, Worcester, was called off in the second half when the away team, Malvern United, were winning 6-0.

Another match, between their under-14 counterparts, also had to be cut short by the referee,

Malvern's manager Dave Harford, who made the claim, said it was the first time he had experienced such behaviour in youth football.

"There was quite a lot of intimidation and the referee said the opposition were threatening to throw punches," said Mr Harford.

He said the final straw came when the referee awarded a penalty against the home team - Lyppard Grange Warriors.

"It was quite scary for the referee and I had to tell my players not to get involved.

"There had been high tackles going in throughout the match and the referee explained to us he called the match off because it was threatening to boil over.

"We gave the home team three cheers at the end to calm the situation down, but they weren't happy".

Nobody from Lyppard Grange Warriors was available for comment as the Evening News went to press.

The under-14s match was also abandoned before half-time, but there was no spokesman available today to confirm a reason for this.

Vice-chairman of the Mercian Festival junior football league, Jon Lunn, said no comment could be made until he had received the referee's report.

"We will make any decision on what action to take once we have found out exactly what went on," he told the Evening News.