‘Horrendous’ collision sees Suffolk Senior Cup semi final between Haverhill and Crane Sports called off
The game between Haverhill Borough v Crane Sports (Suffolk Senior Cup semi-final) had to be postponed after two players collided, resulting in both players suffering seriously injuries. Player down is Haverhill's Lee Hurkett. Picture: GREGG BROWN
A “horrendous” collision between three players in the Suffolk Senior Cup semi final has seen two footballers rushed to hospital by ambulance.
The incident caused today’s (April 1) game between underdogs Crane Sports FC and Haverhill Borough FC to be cancelled, with the crunching collision happening after just three minutes.
The match was being hosted at Hadleigh United’s ground, with two ambulances called to the scene.
The incident happened shortly after the 3pm kick-off, when Haverhill Borough goalkeeper Paul Walker and team mate Lee Hurkett both collided with Crane Sports’ forward Lyndon Alexander-Dowson
John Campany, who was at the game reporting on the match for the EADT and Ipswich Star, said: “It was a horrendous coming together.
The game between Haverhill Borough v Crane Sports (Suffolk Senior Cup semi-final) had to be postponed after two players collided, resulting in both players suffering seriously injuries. Player down is Haverhill's Lee Hurkett. Picture: GREGG BROWN
“It was not pleasant to watch and both managers agreed that none of the teams were in a good state of mind to continue with the match.”
Hurkett suffered a neck injury during the collision, while Alexander-Dowson was drifting in and out of consciousness and had sustained a potential fractured wrist, fractured thumb, cracked ribs and a head injury.
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The goalkeeper was unhurt in the incident. The ambulance service were called at 3.06pm, with two ambulances arriving around 30 minutes later.
Both Hurkett and Alexander-Dowson were taken in to the ambulances and transferred to West Suffolk Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
The game between Haverhill Borough v Crane Sports (Suffolk Senior Cup semi-final) had to be postponed after two players collided, resulting in both players suffering seriously injuries. Player down is Haverhill's Lee Hurkett. Picture: GREGG BROWN
The match was called off by agreement of the officials and managers.
Suffolk FA have confirmed the match has been rescheduled for 3pm on Saturday, April 8, and will be played at Hadleigh United’s ground.
Haverhill Borough FC confirmed on Sunday that Hurkett was discharged from hospital on Saturday night and is said to be sore but recovering well.
The current SIL Senior Division champions Crane Sports, managed by Iain Radnor, are relative underdogs to Thurlow Nunn Division One side Haverhill Borough.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We received a call today at 3.06pm to reports of two football players who had collided at a game at Hadleigh United Football Club on Layham Road.
“We sent an ambulance to assist and treated one patient for rib injuries and the other for a neck injury who had briefly lost consciousness.”
