MIDFIELDER Richard Dewsbury suffered a badly brken leg – the secnd f his career – as Ely City Reserves lst their Cliff Bullen Challenge Cup semi-final at Over Sprts. Ely were leading 1-0 with 17 minutes f nrmal time remaining when Dewsbury s challe

MIDFIELDER Richard Dewsbury suffered a badly brken leg - the secnd f his career - as Ely City Reserves lst their Cliff Bullen Challenge Cup semi-final at Over Sprts.

Ely were leading 1-0 with 17 minutes f nrmal time remaining when Dewsbury's challenge fr the ball ended in disaster.

"There was a lud crack," said Ely crrespndent Dale Spring. "Richard fell n his back, lked at his ankle and immediately knew smething was wrng."

The quick reactins f an ppsing player may have prevented the injury frm being even wrse hwever.

"Their number nine managed t catch Richard's leg befre it hit the grund," explained Spring.

The tie was held up fr 45 minutes as players waited fr an ambulance t arrive, and when the match resumed Ely's superirity evaprated.

"They [Over] didn't lk like scring at all befre that," said Spring, but an 80th minute equaliser tk the match int extra-time and the hme side went ahead in the first perid.

City had penalty appeals waved away befre David Crnwell went dwn fr a far mre dubius claim that the referee gave, and Martin Grey kept his cl t make the scre 2-2 and frce a penalty sht-ut.

It was 6-5 t Over when James Salmns stepped up t the plate, but his penalty was well saved and the 'Rbins' were ut.

The result was the last thing n Spring's mind afterwards hwever.

"All ur thughts are with Richard," said the Ely man earlier this week, and First team manager Dennis Lightning likewise ffered his heartfelt sympathies.

"Obviusly we wish him a speedy recvery," said the City bss. "It's incidents like this that put everything int perspective.