BREACH OF PEACE BUT JACK WILL NOW APPEAL

PEACEHAVEN & Telscombe striker Jack Langford is to appeal against a 22-month-ban for violent conduct which caused the club’s FA Vase tie at Worthing United to be abandoned.

The visitors were winning 2-0 when the non-playing 24-year-old leapt from behind the barrier, ran on to the pitch and assaulted a Worthing player.

The incident led to the immediate abandonment of the September 10 game between the Southern Combination rivals and police called to the Robert Albon Memorial Ground. Langford was arrested and released on police bail later that day.

The FA immediately suspended Langford from all football and footballrelated activity until July 1, 2018.

Langford, who admitted an FA charge of violent conduct, was fined £150 warned as to his future conduct.

Peacehaven chairman Jez Avens said: “Jack Langford was bailed on the evening of the event with all charges being dropped by the police a few days later.

“As a club we were obviously embarrassed and upset by the events and pleaded guilty to the charge from the FA.

“Jack, however, is devastated by the severity of the sentence and while not appealing against the decision, Jack will be appealing against the length of the ban.”

Peacehaven were fined £200 and Worthing £100 after admitting failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from provocative and violent conduct.

Peacehaven won the rearranged game 2-0 last Saturday, but their Wembley trail spectacularly came to an end in the second qualifying round when they were walloped 8-0 at Canterbury City on Wednesday with Ryan Philpott scoring a hattrick to earn a home tie against Lydney Town in the first round proper on October 22.

Avens added: “The FA found both clubs in breach of FA rules and requested the game be replayed. This match was played in good spirits and both clubs now wish to put this matter behind us as we have a further two league games to be played.”