As you may have already heard, yesterday’s home tie against Thornaby was abandoned early in the first half after an awful injury to Blues keeper Harry Alderson, which occurred after he and Robins forward Stephen Hall collided during a 50/50 challenge in the fourteenth minute.
Before the incident, the Robins had been making a bright start, with a Blair Adams volley from inside the box almost putting them ahead within two minutes, however the effort and subsequent follow up by Hall was saved by Alderson.
Brandon slater also had a go early on, taking the ball from the halfway line to the edge of the box, but his shot sailed wide.
Thornaby then applied a bit of pressure back onto the home side, winning a free kick in a dangerous area after what looked to be just a clash of heads, before the Robins launched a fierce counter attack that proved to be the final move of the game.
Slater played a great through ball towards the opposition’s box for Hall to run onto, Alderson rushed out before lunging towards the ball, as did Hall. The two players collided into each other, and the aftermath left the goalkeeper with a broken tibia which will require surgery.
After the player received attention from staff on the pitch for several minutes, the referee, uncomfortable with continuing, decided to call the game off.
Everyone connected with North Shields hopes Harry’s surgery goes well and that he can return to football as soon as possible.
