CREWE Regional Sunday League clubs have been warned about the behaviour of their players after a game was abandoned over fears for a referee's safety.

The C&N Utd versus Leighton FC clash was called off after 78 minutes (C&N were 1-0 ahead at the time) after the an incident involving a Leighton player and the match official.

It is understood the player, who has since been expelled by league newcomers Leighton, made threats towards the match official.

It comes at a time when the Regional League is "losing" officials to a new junior competition. Four games were off yesterday (Sunday) because referees had been reassigned to officiate in the new County Youth Cup.

League Secretary Dave Cooper said: "The reducing number of referees is becoming a problem and each week we are not able to cover all of our games, so incidents like this one do not help at all.

"Clubs and players need to look at this very closely especially and this behaviour has to be improved as no referees means no football."

And the league official added: "For the second time this season, games had to be postponed because the Cheshire FA plundered the Regional League referees to officiate in the new competition for boys and girls.

"It meant that on a pleasant morning for sport over 100 adult players were deprived of the chance to play. The Cheshire FA says it is "changing lives through football', but stopping adults playing seems to rather contradict this."

Leighton FC have apologised for the incident and have warned all their players about their future conduct.

A spokesperson for the club said: "As a club Leighton do not condone what has happened. The player was given another chance then this has happened again, so he has now left the club.

"It's not acceptable as we want to build relationships with other clubs and the league. All players will be warned of conduct and if anything happens they will be removed from the club immediately and reported to the Cheshire FA."

In the games that did go ahead The Lions closed in on Premier Division leaders Betley, who were in Staffs Cup action, with Mike Blundell hitting a hat-trick in a thrilling 6-4 win at Talbot.

The Lions have added five players of the recently-defunct Crewe Athletic to their squad, but found themselves trailing 2-0 and 4-3 at various stages before a late fightback.

Jordan Amson, Russell Schofield and Deon Chesters were also on target for The Lions while Liam Whittaker (2), Ryan Moss and Joe Goodier scored for the hosts.

Winnington SC were held to a 1-1 draw at Wheelock, against Cheshire Cheese. Dale Campbell scored for the home side, with Shaun Bradley grabbed a late equaliser for the visitors.

NHB beat Raven Salvador 4-1 helped by Brian Holland's first-half hat-trick.

George & Dragon shaded their encounter with Broadhurst FC by a 4-3 margin with goals from Joe Duckworth (2), Robbie Hatton and Ben Brown.

Scott Ravenscroft, Steve Jenyons and Jordan Cobley were the Broadhurst FC marksmen.

In Division One, Cooper Buckley have drafted in five former Crewe Athletic players and they were too strong for JS Bailey racking up a 9-0 scoreline. Ashley Edwards scored a hat-trick and there were two goals for Jason McMullan, while Rhys Sumner, Jack Gater, Brad Stockton and Matt King were also on the scoresheet.

In the CREWE AND DISTRICT LEAGUE there were eight goals shared by Crewe Town and AFC Crewe (4-4).

Liam Whitaker bagged a double for Crewe Town whose other scorers were Lewis Ralphs and Fred Molyneaux.

Crewe Wanderers were beaten by an inform Sandbach Town Ramblers who were sit in second place within the league. Tim Lamb scored both of the Ramblers' goals in a 2-0 success.

Meanwhile, leaders Sandbach Curshaws came from behind against Mary Dendy to record a 3-1 win. Trailing 1-0 at the interval, Curshaws fired in three goals in the second half with Fraser Keena netting twice and sub Lee Mellor also on the mark to secure a win which keeps them two points clear of rivals local Ramblers.

Results

Staffs FA TB Williamson Cup

Coach & Horses 1, Betley 3

Crewe Regional Sunday League

Premier Division

Broadhurst FC 3, George & Dragon 4

Cheshire Cheese 1, Winnington SC 1

Faddiley P:P Willaston White Star

NHB FC 4, Raven Salvador 1

Talbot 4, The Lions 6

Division One

Audlem P:P Nantwich Pirates

C & N Utd A:A Leighton FC

JS Bailey 0, Cooper Buckley 9

White Horse P:P Ruskin Park

Winsford Over 3 P:P Sandbach Town

Crewe and District League

AJ Cooke Trophy

Mary Dendy 1982 2, Bollington 2 (Mary Dendy won 6-5 on pens)

League

Crewe Town 4, AFC Crewe 4

Crewe Wanderers 0, Sandbach Town Ramblers 2

Sandbach Curshaws 3, Mary Dendy 1

Cheshire League Reserve Div 2

Cup: Crewe FC 1, Poynton FC Reserves 3