A FOOTBALL club abandoned a friendly at half-time after officials complained about the “aggressive direction” of the game.

Spennymoor, from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, were visiting Newton Aycliffe from the Northern League on Tuesday evening, and refused to play the second half of the match.

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Spennymoor FC said the decision to pull out was made by the management team.

It continued: “The team didn’t play the second half over concerns about the aggressive direction the match was taking and the management decided it was a risk to the players to continue.

“We consider the welfare of our staff and players a top priority.”

John Topping, secretary of the Durham County Football Association, said: “I have received a report about the game and I have written to both teams and match officials for their version of events.”

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Newton Aycliffe chairman Alan Oliver added: “We don’t think we have done anything wrong.”