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'Bonkers' scenes with 2,500 fans at football final

Rumeana Jahangirand
Stewart Whittingham,North West
Droylsden FC Fans look on from the stands as supporters ran onto the pitch and let off flaresDroylsden FC
Jubilant fans invaded the Butcher Arms pitch after the penalty shoot-out win

A non-league play-off final witnessed "wild" scenes at the final whistle as fans invaded the pitch and let off red flares in celebration after a penalty shootout win.

Nearly 2,500 fans packed Droylsden's Butchers Arms for the North West Counties match against Merseyside's Maghull FC as it kicked off at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Droylsden FC, nicknamed The Bloods, won a shoot-out 4-3 after 16 penalties were taken sparking a pitch invasion after the play-off promotion final had finished 3-3.

The Tameside team's manager David Pace said it was an "epic" game with "bonkers" scenes at the end. The game was played in the 10th tier of English football.

Derek Lloyd A Droylsden player, in a red shirt and black shorts, leans back as he takes the decisive penalty against a goalkeeper all in yellow, with fans packed behind the goalDerek Lloyd
The winning penalty resulted in wild scenes with a pitch invasion

Pace told the BBC: "It was a crazy game - our keeper saved five penalties and we missed four.

"The fans were amazing and got us over the line. They have been unbelievable.

"There were a a lot there and we were helped that City or United weren't at home that day.

"The wild scenes at the end were unbelievable."

Droylsden FC Droylsden's players run around as the fans invade the pitch. Some of the players have thrown their shirts offDroylsden FC
The 16th penalty sparked wild scenes in the 10th tier of England football

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said one fan was arrested after fights broke out between rival supporters.

The force said "a small number of individuals were involved in disorder both inside and outside the ground".

It added "the majority of fans attending the fixture enjoyed the game and made their way home safely".

Derek Lloyd A Droylsden player, in red kit, runs towards a stand with his arms outstretched in celebration as the goalkeeper, in yellow kit, jogs behindDerek Lloyd
The Bloods scored four of their eight penalties to win the play-off final

Officers have launched an investigation to "identify those involved in disorder and will take appropriate action".

Droylsden FC thanked supporters and volunteers, adding: "We couldn't do it without you."

Fans paid £7 to watch the game with concessions priced at £5.

Derek Lloyd Fans behind a goal at the game with one man holding his blonde daughter on his shoulders as they look at the action on the pitch.Derek Lloyd
Fans watched the two teams take 16 penalties before a winner was declared in the play-off final

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