Match abandoned after horror injury at Sunnyvale

Two football clubs support the decision to abandon their southern premier league match after a Green Island player was badly injured.

The clubs have issued statements in the wake of Friday's game.

An 85th-minute collision left Green Island's Matt Milton with broken tibia and fibula bones in the side's match against Caversham at Sunnyvale.

The score was 1-1 and Caversham was facing a penalty as the teams returned to the dressing rooms. After 35 minutes and the ambulance on the pitch, both teams were called on to the side of the ground.

They were informed regulations stated the game could be abandoned if one individual agreed.

The Caversham statement - signed by club president Phil Collings and head coach Richard Murray - said it opted to abandon the game in the interest of both Milton and the welfare of players on both teams.

It added the prospect of a loss had not played a part in the decision.

"We understand that some patrons believe we did this because we were facing a penalty and the prospect of losing the game. To clarify, the result of the game is irrelevant to us.

"Our immediate concern was for the injured Green Island player, and the mental and physical wellbeing of the other players involved.

"Today, there are more important things than football."

It added that it did not know the direction Football South would take from a results perspective.

In Green Island's statement, it acknowledged the compassion and assistance of Caversham.

Both clubs said their thoughts were with Milton and his family.

He was due to have surgery at the weekend.


 

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