TWO Worcester footballers ended up in Kidderminster General Hospital after violence erupted on the field in a cup match, a court has heard.

The score was 0-0 when the second half started in the bad-tempered game between Wilden Steelers and Archdales 73 at Stourport-on-Severn on September 25 last year, said 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, aged 24, of Tomkinson Drive, Kidderminster and Price, 27, of Hemming Street, Kidderminster, both admitted affray at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

Both denied assault causing actual bodily harm and were both found not guilty of those charges.

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 WPC Kay Fillmore, Price admitted throwing a punch but claimed it was self-defence. Williams admitted "treading" on Mr Brownlow but said it was an accident.

Martin Jenkins, defending, said Williams was an excellent sportsman who played to win but who was never malicious. He was a single man described by his employers as "placid".

Price, married with a child and with a supervisory job, had since given up playing football, said his counsel, 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 into custody.