Match abandoned as firework strikes Hashtag United star on pitch during game

A Hashtag United match was forced to be abandoned after a stray firework hit a player during a reserve game against Concord Rangers on Friday night.

United were hosting Rangers in their seventh game of the Essex Senior League Reserve Division One campaign, in what was a top versus bottom of the table clash.

Hashtag's reserves are yet to be beaten this season, having won four and drawn two of their matches heading into the Bonfire Night match against Concord.

Rangers are currently bottom of the table having lost all of their games so far as they travelled to the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea on Friday night.

But the game took an unexpected turn and was forced to be abandoned when one of the players was hit by a firework.

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Hashtag United player Matas Skrna was hit by a firework in a game against Concord Rangers

Hashtag had gone two goals up heading into the 60 th minute of the Friday night clash when the ball was kicked down the left.

United player Matas Skrna was jogging back towards his own goal when a firework flashed across the pitch and hit him.

It exploded after hitting him, with multiple crackling sparkles going off around Skrna, who began hopping in apparent pain.

He then dropped to the ground clutching his leg in agony, the players calling for medics to come on to treat him.

Though a Concord player prepared to take a corner after Skrna had received treatment, match officials Joe Lannon, Robert Collins and Nicholas Hodges decided to abandon the match.

Hashtag released a statement announcing the abandonment, revealing that the referees were left with no choice after the house where the firework came from refused to stop.

"We expect fireworks whenever we play but not like this! Our player, Matas Skrna, is luckily ok but this could have been bad!" the statement read.

"Game abandoned at 2-0 up as house where fireworks came from refused to stop. Two more landed near pitch. Police have been notified. Stay safe."

Skrna was injured in the incident but Hashtag later confirmed that he is ok

Hashtag United founder and owner Spencer Owen was left furious by the incident and called for fireworks to be banned.

"Yet another reason to add to the list of reasons to sack off fireworks. Dog owners know exactly what I'm saying. Glad Matas is ok," he wrote on Twitter.

Hashtag United Reserves' next league game comes in fortnight's time when they travel to Witham Town.

Their game against Concord was not the only match on Friday to be disrupted by celebrations for Bonfire Night.

In the League of Ireland, Waterford's clash against Shamrock Rovers was suspended after fireworks exploded onto the pitch.

Players and staff were seen they ducked for cover, with the fireworks thought to have been launched from the away stands.

Waterford player Anthony Wordsworth was visibly injured by the fireworks and received assistance from teammates after being struck twice.

Referee Rob Hennessy suspended the game for eight minutes, with Shamrock Rovers going on to win 3-1.