BARROWFORD AFC are in the spotlight for the second time in a month after another referee was assaulted in a Craven League Division Two game at Bullholme Playing Fields last Saturday, (writes Tony Simpson).

Referee Peter Owen from Barnoldswick was allegedly head-butted by a player during the game after awarding a penalty kick to visitors Skipton LMS, who were 3-0 behind at the time. Skipton converted the penalty and the referee blew for time.

Police say that the official was challenged after making the award and when he moved to show the offending player a yellow card, the incident took place. The damage to his mouth resulted in the match official needing attention at Airedale General Hospital on Sunday morning and the police being called in to investigate.

The incident came only a fortnight after an as yet unidentified spectator walked onto the pitch at Barrowford and assaulted a referee during a Craven League game against Carleton.

With the police now interviewing several witnesses to last Saturday's incident, officials are predictably remaining tight-lipped about the sorry episode, a report of which will shortly be following an earlier missive into the in-tray of the Lancashire County FA.

One of the problems confronting league officials is that all jurisdiction regarding the Barrowford club rests with the Lancashire FA.

Any move to impose any sort of ban on the team rests entirely with the Lancashire FA and indeed, many would consider it very unfair to impose a ban on the club, who have no control over the actions of passers-by in a public park.

That said, in the final analysis, the Craven League are charged with sending referees to Bullholme. With two officials having been attacked in a fortnight, whoever gets the next assignment needs to know that his safety is assured.

Nelson police have confirmed that they are in the process of progressing the inquiry by taking statements from three individuals who attended the game and have indicated that they are prepared to support the referee's version of events.

Tomorrow's fixtures include:

Craven League

Silentnight Premier Division: Grindleton v Bronte Wanderers, Skipton LMS v Carleton.

Division One: Cowling c Colne Shepherds, Embsay v Cononley Sp, Gargrave v Lothersdale A, Hellifield Sp v Barnoldswick U, Intake v Bronte W Res.

Division Two: Bradley Res v Skipton Bulldogs Res, Oxenhope Rec Res v Skipton LMS Res, Sutton v Horton, Waddington v Grindleton Res.

Division Three: Carleton Res v Cowling Res, Cononley Sp Res v Pendle A, McBrides v Intake Res, Skipton T Res v Hellifield Sp Res.

West Riding County FA knockout competitions

Challenge Cup: Round Two - Wibsey v Cross Hills, Silsden v Friendly, Barnoldswick Un v Pusey, Pool v Skipton Bulldogs, Boroughbridge v Oxenhope Rec, Wadsworth Un v Grassington Un.

Challenge trophy: Round Two - Cross Hills Res v Britania, Lock Lane, Agnes Stewart OB v Steeton, Silsden Res v Barclays.

Sunday

Under 16 Junior Cup: Round Two - Killinghall Nomads v Skipton Town, Silsden v Buttershaw Youth.

Under 14 Junior Cup: Round Two - Pannal Sp v Silsden, Skipton T v Yorkshire Amateurs.

Under 12 Shield: Round Two - Altofts v Skipton T, Silsden v Kirkstall Crusaders.