Just watched The Football League Show where they not only showed the mass brawl but also featured it later, rather than the goals, finding it highly amusing when they couldn't decide who was trying to stop it and who was just getting stuck in. What they found just as amusing was the way the referee just stood there blowing his whistle for all he was worth, as if that was going to stop 23 incensed men, mentioning that this was the ref's first ever game in the football league. Poor bloke.
To be honest I couldn't work out who was who. I noticed a Wycombe player on the ground at the end of it. hat happened to him and who was it. There were 3 diabolical fouls in succession by Macclesfield leading to the brawl.
Winfield was the one having the shirt torn off his back towards the end of the ruck. Have a horrible feeling that both clubs will be charged with "failing to control their players"
Probably not right to say, but it was good to see the Wycombe players getting stuck in yesterday, showed a real team spirit. Although right at the beginning Montrose (I think) went down Ronaldo like when tapped on the chest. I don't like seeing that, it's just play-acting to get someone sent off. Winfield was treated harshly, but the ref had to send someone off for us and he was the scapegoat. An appeal would mean he could play Tuesday while the FA investigate, but I can see them throwing it out and giving him an extra game ban. The clubs will no doubt be charged for this, just look what happened after the Millwall brawl last season. We did nothing wrong but got fined too, so having previous won't help our cause.
How or why he sent off Winfield i have no idea, he did nothing apart from get punched to the floor and stamped on. The 3 challenges that led up the brawl were very nasty and have no place on a football field. 'Ricky has gone in and caught the lad' is an understatement to say the least, he tried to put one of our players out for about 9 months by the looks of it! Also, the 'Ricky has gone over to pick him up' bit is ridiculous as well, he just faced off to two of our guys before pushing one of them in the face. I find those comments from Simpson pretty disgusting tbh, he could at least have the decency to apologise on behalf of his players for what happened and accept that his team were at fault for causing the brawl.
I've watched the fracas now numerous times and only come to one conclusion - Sappleton is a complete ****ing donkey! As well as that, he's a donkey with a nasty kick on him - the situation that started it all off could have been very dangerous indeed and careers have been ruined with less of a kick than he offered. After that all hell broke loose, and i think it's impossible to see who did what to get sent off. One thing is for certain though, Sappleton was rightly dismissed and should probably face further action because of his original action as well as protesting his innocence(!) afterwards. His ugly play caused it all and I hope the FA take proper action. However knowing our governing body, the FA will probably do sweet FA.
Just seen it now.... wow. The first challenge made by Draper on Betsy was rushed but a fair challenge where the opponent won the ball. The second 'tackle' was awful and the thrid attack was shocking. How the hell can he frow his hands in the air like hes done nothing!!! Sappelton deserves a lenghty ban for causing the brawl... It wasnt even a tackle, he frew his boot kneed high. During the 'fight' it looks like Nikki Bull was the only player trying to break it up and it was good to see the Wycombe lads supporting eachover on the pitch even during brawls. Eventually the novice referee just seemed to show his red card to anyone; Sinclair and Winfield. Conclusion is that Sappelton is a dick!
