Football officials have written to two clubs in England after a friendly match was abandoned at half-time with one side unwilling to continue due to what it called the “aggressive direction” of the game.

Spennymoor, from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, were visiting Newton Aycliffe from the Northern League – the ninth tier of English football – on Tuesday evening, and refused to play the second half of the match.

Following discussions at HT by the club and its management team the club has decided not to continue with the game.

— Spennymoor Town FC (@SpennymoorTown) July 26, 2016

In a statement on their website, Spennymoor FC said the decision to pull out was made by the management team.

Club statement on last night's friendly: https://t.co/qgkfMVQRMu

— Spennymoor Town FC (@SpennymoorTown) July 27, 2016

It continued: “The team didn’t play the second half over concerns about the aggressive direction the match was taking and the management decided it was a risk to the players to continue.

“The club is in full support of this decision as we consider the welfare of our staff and players as a top priority.”

The club apologised to fans who travelled to the match.

John Topping, secretary of the Durham County Football Association, said: “I have received a report regarding the game and I have written to both teams and match officials for their version of events.”

Newton Aycliffe chairman Alan Oliver told the Northern Echo newspaper: “As a club we don’t think we have done anything wrong.”