Violence spoiled a well-attended football match between AFC Wimbledon and AFC Wallingford on Saturday.Mounted police on duty after the game

The game, held in Wallingford, started well as Wallingford proved they could play to a crowd by scoring the first of three goals within ten minutes.

But as half-time approached, a remark about Milton Keynes spoiled the party atmosphere.

During half-time, violence broke out in the clubhouse, sparking rumours that gatecrashers were intent on ruining the day.

When the final whistle blew, fans hoping to celebrate in the bar were turned away by the police and left to reflect on their victory and loss. "It's disgusting," muttered one Wallingford fan. "Just like the old days of football."

Under the watchful eye of mounted police, fans were escorted back to their cars, coaches and carriages. But nobody from Wallingford was blaming Wimbledon for the trouble. Outsiders were blamed instead.

"It's a shame," summed up one Wallingford fan. "It spoilt it for all the local people."

But the mood was markedly different two hours before the match.

The town's station master and his engineers were then on the lookout for the AFC Wimbledon Football Special Train.

The visiting fans used to follow Division One league club Wimbledon, but switched their allegience to Combined Counties Premier League side AFC Wimbledon, after the professional club decided to move to Milton Keynes.

As the cream-coloured engine pulled into the platform, doors were eagerly pushed open and fans dressed in blue and yellow tumbled out, ready to be greeted by their hosts.

"We stayed in Wallingford last night and it was absolutely brilliant," enthused south Londoner Carol Nooke as she hopped out of a carriage.

"But there was hardly anybody around in Wallingford who knew much about their team. We'd just like to urge locals to get behind their team and know more about it."

Strolling out of the station, lifelong Wimbledon supporters Dan Brown and Brian Manning appeared bemused. "It's the first time we've been on a diesel train to a match," admitted Dan. "But it's great, we love it."

The treasurer of the historic Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Ron Keevil looked on proudly as the fans got on the special shuttle service laid on for them by AFC Wallingford.

He said: "This is an exciting opportunity -- we've had to pull out all the stops for this, but we are proud to serve the community of Wallingford."

Down the road, barmaids at the Cross Keys pub were battling to satisfy the thirst of the Wimbledon fans, eager to sample the local Brakspear brew. "It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant," said landlady Roni Dorn, who passed pints over the bar to the sound of cars tooting their horns outside.

Savouring his pint, Wimbledon fan Peter Young said: "It's a lovely atmosphere," he said. "Everywhere we go now, it's a party spirit. Some of the grounds we've been to are almost like a village fete, and the clubs really want to entertain. We're really pleased to be playing these clubs."

At the Wallingford club, coaches were carrying more of the 2,400 fans to the ground during a brief respite from the rain.

Inside the club bar, Wallingford fans were happy to queue for their pints.

"Normally, we'd have 40 to 50 people in here before a game," said Alan Campbell, who has supported Wallingford for three years.