VIOLENCE erupted on the football field in a cup match at Stourport and two players from a visiting Worcester side ended up in Kidder-minster Hospital, a court heard.

The score was 0-0 when the second half started in the bad-tempered game between Wilden Steelers and Arch-dales 73 last Septem-ber, said Mr John Price, prosecuting.

Archdales player Yinka Brownlow was stamped on by opponent Sean Williams after being knocked to the ground. Mr Brownlow's team-mate Andrew Frapwell came over to help but was punched in the face by Paul Price.

Williams, 24, of Tomkinson Drive, and Price, 27, of Hemming Street, both Kidderminster, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to affray. They denied assault causing actual bodily harm and not guilty verdicts were entered.

The defendants, both steel workers with no previous convictions, were each fined £200 with £250 costs and ordered to pay £200 compensation to their victims.

The game at Wilden sports ground was "not a happy one" and yellow cards had been shown by the referee, said Mr Price.

Mr Brownlow first thought his nose had been broken in the incident but it was only swollen and he was cut and bruised. Mr Frapwell suffered a cut lip.

When interviewed by police, Price admitted throwing a punch but claimed it was self-defence. Williams admitted "treading" on Mr Brownlow but said it was an accident.

Mr Martin Jenkins, defending, said Williams was an excellent sportsman who played to win but who was never malicious.Wilden Steelers had folded two months later. Williams was now playing for the Wilden village side and a local pub team.

Price, married with a child and with a supervisory job, had given up football, said his counsel, Mr Adam Western.

Recorder Anthony Palmer QC said unlawful violence on the football field featured all too often in newspapers.

Very often it resulted in prison sentences but because the pair were hard-working men of good character, he was not sending them to custody.