Serious injury to Godsmark overshadows defeat

MORPETH TOWN      3      WHITLEY BAY       0

Wednesday 30^th March

A sickening injury to Jonny Godsmark completely overshadowed this game at FA Vase finalists Morpeth Town. Only seven minutes had been played when Godsmark mistimed a tackle and fell to the ground in agony. It was immediately apparent that it was a serious injury and after a lengthy delay he was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital where it was confirmed that he had suffered a broken leg, with fractures to his tibia and fibula.

It is the second time that the 26 year old midfielder who started his career at Newcastle United has suffered a leg fracture and he now faces another lengthy period out of the game.

Godsmark was one of six Reserve team players brought into the side for this game with many of the first team squad suffering from injuries picked up during the current hectic programme of fixtures. Indeed, only three regular first team players started what was Whitley’s fourth game in eight days.

Morpeth took the lead virtually straight from the kick off, with Ben Sayer credited with the goal after the ball was quickly played down the Morpeth left and slotted past Gladstone after just 30 seconds.

Then came Godsmark’s injury and a lengthy delay. Credit is due to the Morpeth staff who assisted Bay physio Glen Martin in dealing with the situation before the paramedics arrived.

When the game eventually resumed there was a subdued atmosphere with few chances created but with 37 minutes on the clock, a Bay player went down with what looked to be a head injury. With many expecting the game to be halted, play was allowed to continue and Sean Taylor cut though the Whitley defence before drilling the ball home for the second goal. Whitley had posed little threat to the Morpeth goal but shortly before the break a free kick from David Berry, who had just rejoined the club from Bedlington, forced keeper Karl Dryden into action, pushing the ball over the bar.

Early in the second half, a free kick from Nicolay Ivanov was deflected just over the bar as Whitley began to push forward. A double substitution saw Shanks and Kempster replaced Laws and debutant David Hall for the final half hour and with eleven minutes remaining, Shanks had a curling shot pushed wide by Dryden at full stretch.

Morpeth looked comfortable and they had the final word when substitute Dale Pearson slotted home after being played in by David Hiftle.

The young and largely inexperienced Bay side had given a good account of themselves against a strong Morpeth team who are still real contenders for the league title, but this will be a night remembered more for a serious injury to Jonny Godsmark than the result of the game.

WHITLEY BAY; Gladstone, Day, McDonald, Prosser, Williams, Chambers, Godsmark (Berry 20mins), Ivanov, Laws(Shanks 64mins), Potter, Hall(Kempster 64mins)

Substitutes not used: T Flynn, Robertson

Referee: David Fitzpatrick

Cautions: McDonald, Berry, Chambers, Williams

Attendance: 308