CHRISTCHURCH RES 3 DORCHESTER RES 1

A SICKENING injury to Lloyd Beals put “Football into perspective” according to boss Dave Kiteley.

The Dorchester Town defender was rushed to hospital on Saturday after a clash of heads with team-mate Calvin Brooks left Beals with a suspected fractured cheekbone and eye socket.

The Magpies’ reserve team went on to lose 3-1 at Christchurch in Wyvern Premier League action but the result paled in significance to Beals’ well-being.

Manager Kiteley said: “Football was immaterial on Saturday if I’m being honest.

“Lloyd and Calvin both went for the same header, it was a sickening clash and they were both spark out.

“The players were shocked by it, Lloyd was rushed to hospital and he only got out on Sunday night.

“He had a CAT scan and fortunately there was no damage to the brain, which was a blessing, but he has to go back to Poole Hospital on Friday to see a specialist as they reckon he has a fractured cheekbone and eye socket.

“Full praise to our physio Malcolm Coe as he did an absolutely terrific job. Christchurch were also very good and rang an ambulance straight away.

“It certainly put football into perspective. I just wish Lloyd all the best.”

The Magpies responded to Beals’ departure by taking the lead at Hurn Bridge through Alex Andrews.

However, missed chances and three second-half goals inflicted a third defeat of the season on the travelling reserves.

Kiteley added: “We were quite light due to injuries and unavailabilities, and that was before what happened to Lloyd, but we went 1-0 up with a fortuitous goal from Alex.

“We then had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 when Jack Twyford was brought down in the box but Martin Warren’s penalty was easy for the keeper.

“Christchurch started the second a lot better and they managed to equalise. We responded to be fair and had two great chances to go 3-1 up.

“But we missed those chances and they broke away to score a simple goal.

“You could see the players were deflated and although they kept working, Christchurch scored a third direct from a free-kick.”

Dorchester are back in action tomorrow night as they play host to reigning champions and early pacesetters Sholing (7.45pm).

Magpies: Tewkesbury, Butcher, Beals (Lane 15), Brooks, Way, Wash (Voss 70), Andrews, Godfrey, Warren, Tennant (Vallier 65), Twyford.