A footballer was taken to hospital with a fractured jaw and damaged eardrum, after an accidental collision on Saturday.

AFC Crowley’s Shay Richer suffered the injury after challenging for a header with a Parkside opponent, causing the SIL Division One game King George V Playing Field to be abandoned on 47 minutes.

Mr Richer was discharged from hospital at 9pm on Saturday and, having suffered a slight loss of hearing due to bleeding, is expected to make a full recovery.

AFC Crowley manager Gareth Ward said: “Our physio Mick Upson was the main man and was there with Shay until the paramedics arrived. I think it could have been a lot worse had it not been for him.”