A GOALKEEPER accused of kicking an opponent in the head during a fight on the pitch has been ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

Sion Williams, 33, a factory worker, of Clement Drive, Rhyl, who had been stand-in captain for Prestatyn Sports in a bad-tempered away game against Llanllyfni when violence erupted last August, was convicted after a trial of common assault on Sion Huws. He must pay £400 compensation and £705 costs.

Magistrates at Caernarfon heard epileptic Mr Huws stayed overnight in Gwynedd Hospital at Bangor.

Court chairman David Llewelyn Jones said: ”It was a vulnerable victim because he was on the floor.” But the offence was “out of character” for Williams.

Defence solicitor Craig Hutchinson said it wasn’t disputed that left back Mr Huws had been the victim of an assault by someone. “There were clearly a lot of tempers on the pitch,” he remarked.

Referee Aled Williams had criticised the “disgraceful” behaviour of the Prestatyn side’s manager who he sent off. “He was just abusive towards Llanllyfni and myself. That really didn’t help the Prestatyn team either,” he remarked.

There had been eight bookings before half time.

Llanllyfni player Timothy Cavanagh told the court it was a “very forceful” kick to his teammate.

The match was abandoned.

Both Welsh Alliance League sides have been fined by the Football Association of Wales. Williams was fined and banned for three games by the FAW.