Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Assistant referee Malacho Brown (left) points to his face after being escorted to the other side of the grounds by assistant referee Paulette Riley (right) and match inspector Martin Lyn after play was stopped in the Jackie Bell Knock-out final between...

It was a chaotic scene at the Harbour View Mini Stadium last night as bottles were hurled on to the pitch and echoing gunshots from just outside the grounds brought the final of the Western Union/Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Jackie Bell KO final at Harbour View Mini Stadium to a premature end.

Spectators streaming out of the stadium and policemen, who thought it necessary to brandish their firearms in the middle of the pitch, were the tell-tale signs that yet another encounter between intense rivals Waterhouse and Harbour View had gone terribly wrong.

With the Stars of the East down to 10 men and clinging to a 1-0 lead, it was a disallowed goal which would have brought the Drewsland team level 13 minutes from time that provided the controversial spark which really saw things boil over.

The Waterhouse fans were deep in celebration when substitute Damion Powell rifled a powerful 77th-minute free kick into the back of the net from just outside the 18-yard area. However, that joy quickly turned to despair when the fans realised their lifeline had been snapped as the goal had not been given, due to an offside call.

Play called back

Harbour View players Christopher Harvey (left) and Jermaine Taylor react as a policeman brandishes his firearm while shots were being fired.

Assistant referee Malacho Brown had raised his flag which saw referee Karl Tyrell - who initially seemed to indicate the goal had scored - call back the play.

According to officials, the call was due to the fact that midfielder Irvino English, who made no contact with either ball or goalkeeper, was deemed to be interfering with the play, by jumping to distract the custodian while in an offside position.

Missiles rained in the direction of both officials and players, which forced them to move towards the pitch exit. KSAFA President Stewart Stephenson was understandably disappointed with the entire affair.

"We hold this competition in honour of our great Jackie (Winthorpe) Bell and it is a shame that things had to end this way," he said. "The public had always given their support to football and we realise that passion can run high but we have to be careful even worldwide not to tarnish the image of a sport we all love."

Stephenson was unable to definitively say what steps would be taken regarding a match replay or sanctions.

Waterhouse coach Wayne Fair-clough, also disappointed with the way things turned out, hopes that matter will be quickly resolved.

"I really didn't like what I saw here today, I don't know what to say, it was just unfortunate," he said.

Judgements

"I'm not really qualified to make a judgements but I hope the powers that be can convene and make a decision which will see football the winner."

Harbour View coach Lenworth Hyde declined to comment on the manner.

Harbour View, who had playmaker Jermaine Hue sent off under rather curious circumstances near the 55th minute, had taken the lead in the 33rd minute, when a ball played through to striker Kavin Bryan from out of midfield seemed to bounce away from both the striker and goalkeeper Maurice Evans who came off his line - to collect. Bryan was, however, credited with the goal.

A Waterhouse official holds bottles in his hand that were thrown on to the pitch by spectators, while one of his players, Desmond Breakenridge, reacts. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Spectators scurrying from the stands.