A GOALKEEPER has been found guilty of assaulting a female steward who was trying to lead him to safety during a pitch invasion.

Morecambe FC's first-keeper Scott Davies (21), of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, lashed out at Alison Wingate as Grimsby Town fans stormed the pitch in celebration at making it into the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

District Judge Daniel Curtis heard the tie at Grimsby's Blundell Park in March last year had been "very emotionally charged", with a great deal at stake for both sides.

With this in mind, though illegal – a pitch invasion had been expected at the final whistle – and stewards had been pre-warned to ensure the fans were kept apart, and players were safe.

Miss Wingate – a steward of 14-years, who was acting as a supervisor on the night – said she had gone to Davies' aid after spotting him collecting his belongings from the goal mouth as the fans rushed across the pitch towards them.

She said: "I went up to him and said: 'Come on love. I'll escort you off the pitch for your own safety.' He said: 'ok' and he was fine."

However, as she led him towards the tunnel, he became panicked and abusive towards her, before lashing out and hitting her hard in the temple.

She told the court he had told her she was "worthless", used foul language, and had wanted to go back out onto the pitch 'to say thank you to the Morcambe fans'.

Davies, who originally denied striking Miss Wingate, said he had become "scared and frightened" by the fans, and simply wanted to leave the pitch as quickly as possible.

He said: "The fans were up in my face and taunting me. They had just won. I just wanted to get into the tunnel. I felt she was more of a hindrance than a help."

A number of professional players at all levels of the game had submitted letters to the judge vouching for Davies, saying he had worked his way through the ranks of the team and conducted himself with a high level of integrity both on and off the pitch.

He also had no history of violence.

Mr Curtis said he believed Davies had lashed out "recklessly", and the assault had not been malicious.

He said: "It is apparent to me that you are very highly thought of and a promising young professional footballer."

He added that while, as a professional, it would not have been the first time he experienced a pitch invasion, it must be a frightening experience.

Mr Curtis said: "You assaulted the steward who went to assist you recklessly and in the heat of the moment. It was completely out of character."

Davies was fined £1,030, ordered to pay £200 compensation to Miss Wingate, £400 costs and a £15 Government imposed victims' surcharge.