A JUNIOR footballer will face sentencing next month after he knocked out an opponent on the pitch during a game.

Jordan Stewart, 20, of Steven Place in Kilbirnie was playing for Dalry Thistle on April 30 when the incident took place.

Appearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, Stewart pleaded guilty to the charge of assault.

The court heard Dalry were playing Girvan when Stewart was in possession of the ball and was tackled by an opposing player.

The challenge was reported to be reckless by the referee and Stewart got up and punched the other player on the head.

The Girvan player was knocked out cold by the blow.

Stewart was sent off by the referee for the incident.

The Girvan physio attended the man who had been knocked out by the blow.

Sheriff Bovey said that he would call for reports and said: “I will call reports because a punch to the head could kill a man.”

Stewart’s lawyer said that the period of the victim being knocked out was momentary and there was no serious or lasting injury.

He urged the Sheriff to go down a different route rather than a custodial sentence.

The Sheriff disagreed with the assessment and added: “It was more luck than judgement.

“Homicide cases involving the same event are quite common. I don’t think so, reports will be called for.”

Stewart will be sentenced on September 12 after social work background reports were called for.

He was released on bail.