Injury ends Berwick City match early

By Marc McGowan and Melissa Grant
BERWICK City’s clash with Morwell Pegasus at Jack Thomas Reserve on Saturday came to a premature end in the 27th minute after a serious injury to a Pegasus player.
Berwick had some early chances to score, but the match was abandoned after a seemingly harmless challenge resulted in the Morwell player breaking his leg just above his ankle.
Berwick president Perry Mur was unsure of the extent of the injury, but made it clear that it was an accident.
“Two blokes went in for the ball – there was nothing malicious about it,” he said.
“He got straight up and took two steps before he realised what was wrong and fell to the ground.”
A massive delay ensued after the ambulance took longer than expected to arrive, and by the time the player was removed from the field it was decided it was too late in the day to continue.
“I rang them three times, but it was probably 35 to 40 minutes before they were there and another 15 minutes before they got him off the ground,” Mur said.
A decision on whether the match is to be replayed will be determined later in the year.
“If it doesn’t concern relegation or promotion they will give it a draw, but if it’s needed to sort that out we’ll play it,” Mur said.
Berwick returns to action at Jack Thomas Reserve at 3pm on Saturday against local rival Doveton and will be looking to enact revenge after losing their round three battle 3-2.
Doveton will be looking to record back-to-back victories after a hard-fought win against Mooroolbark at Waratah Reserve on Saturday.
After losing their past five matches, the Doves kicked away to record a 4-2 victory.
Miles Tidd slotted through two goals for the Doves, while Glen Bristow and Leon Buhic scored one each.
In other Football Federation Victoria State League Three action, Springvale City retained fourth spot on the ladder with a 2-0 win over Fitzroy City.
Jusuf Pekmezovic and Fikret Korkaric slotted through one each for the Vales, who host second-placed Endeavour United at Ross Reserve this weekend.
Endeavour United will be keen to get back on the park after its match against the Frankston Strikers last Saturday was postponed due to poor weather.