Clarke suffers horrific injury

Ashford Town midfielder Gary Clarke suffered a horrific injury during the first half of their 3-2 defeat to Maidstone United at Sittingbourne’s Bourne Park last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Chief Executive Mark Jenner explained what happened.

“He was jogging up field after a goal clearance about 25 minutes in when he suddenly collapsed in some pain.

“It was ten minutes before he could be stretchered off then an ambulance was called.

“He couldn’t be taken in the changing room until he was made comfortable by the medics and given painkillers. It was well into the second half before he could be taken to Medway hospital.

“Believed it be a cruciate ligament problem in the left knee but could be a break.”

Loan signings Luke Coleman (Gravesend & Northfleet), Drew Watkins and Adam O’Neill (Tonbridge Angels) made their debuts for Ashford, with Coleman scoring after just two minutes to give them the lead.

But Maidstone hit back, with goals from Lynden Rowland, Simon Austin (penalty) and Errison Ahwan to gave them a 3-1 lead, before Ashford striker George Fenwick netted his fifth goal of the season late on.

Ashford face a “six-pointer” against Corinthian Casuals at The Homelands on Saturday, where a defeat will leave them rooted at the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table after nine games.

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