Cooks Hill have been become the first top-grade NPL side docked competition points for repeated match official abuse.
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Ninth on 18 points and with no chance of changing their position, the NPL rookies were penalised three points after a third match official abuse incident.
Kev Davison, who played only two games, was the first offender, in a match against Olympic. Assistant coach Greg Smith was red carded for a comment from the bench during the 3-2 win over Valentine in round 21 and copped a four-game ban. Young striker Josh Benson got the same after he was given a straight red card for his spray in the 1-0 loss to Edgeworth on August 20.
Under Northern NSW Football premier competition regulations, a team who have more than two people found guilty of match official abuse will lose three competition points for each offence after the second. A fine of $2000 for each offence after the second also applies.
However, NNSWF is working with Cooks Hill on a proactive alternative approach at the club to address abuse, which could lead to the fine being suspended.
NNSWF confirmed it was the first time a top-grade side have been penalised under the rule. A youth NPL side were docked points last season.
The sanction mars an otherwise encouraging end to Cooks Hill's first NPL season. They finish against Adamstown on Sunday, after 1-0 losses to Broadmeadow and Edgeworth, and wins over Lake Macquarie and Valentine in recent weeks.
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