A GOADING fan was wiped out by “the tackle of the season” from a rival supporter at a jam-packed play-off final.
And when the clip went viral, viewers made it clear where their sympathies lay.
This flying challenge took the man and his beer by surprise
There was a brief flare-up afterwards but the floored victim looked dazed
Boreham Wood were celebrating beating visitors Maidstone United 1-0 to earn a place in the National League.
And as fans streamed onto the pitch afterwards, one beer-swilling Wood follower on the turf decided to taunt away supporters in the stand.
The man, who was wearing jeans and a hoodie, danced around pointing upwards as he tormented opposition fans.
But from 30 yards away on the other half of the pitch, a supporter came hurtling towards the bopping supporter – without him realising it.
And the sprinting offender finished his surge with a two-footed slide that sent the man and his beer crashing to the ground in opposite directions.
The victim got up looking nonplussed, and jumped back as if startled.
Supporters in the stand roared their approval at the lunging ‘challenge’.
Another man then tried to confront the tackler, only to lose his footing and be guided away by a third fan.
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And although the lunger had acted aggressively – to say the least – he won the backing of viewers.
One said: “Great tackle, a little late but a phenomenal challenge.”
Another posted: “Maidstone fan with tackle of the season on a Boreham Wood fan.”
A third wrote: “Totally deserved and good on him, grown men goading the oppo after a huge final win.”
A fourth claimed: “He didn’t expect a Maidstone fan to do this in retaliation.”
And a fifth observer reckoned the victim paid the price for his mocking behaviour as a counterpart “took matters into his own hands”.
Sunday’s match climaxed an incredibly tight season in National League South.
Truro were the only side to go up automatically — as champions on goal difference from Torquay.
But just three points separated the top two from Dorking in sixth.
Maidstone finished seven points further adrift in seventh place – taking the last play-off spot.
Charles Clayden’s brilliant 47th-minute winner in the final sent Wood back to the National League at the first attempt in front of a 3,500 crowd at Meadow Park.
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe beat fellow ex-EFL club Chester 2-1 after extra time in the National League North play-off final.
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