Harrogate Town's 3-2 defeat at Gloucester City in Blue Square Bet North was overshadowed by a serious leg injury to Town forward Liam Hardy.

Play was stopped for 35 minutes while Hardy received treatment on the pitch before he was taken to hospital.

Town manager Simon Weaver told BBC Radio York: "It shocked everyone.

"They had to give him oxygen and then morphine to be able to move him. He suffered a dislocation and I think a leg break."

Weaver added: "He's a very brave boy and one we all admire.

"He's come up three levels and found it pretty easy to step up, such is his bravery, ability and confidence.

"He was OK in himself but obviously its a pretty serious injury and we need to get him right."

Harrogate took the lead when Kyle Hadley scored on his debut after four minutes.

Three quick goals put Gloucester ahead before Hadley scored his second all before half time.

Gloucester finished the game with ten men after Matt Coupe's foul on substitute Hardy led to the injury resulted in a red card.

Weaver continued: "The main thing for the club now is to get Liam Hardy back as fast as possible.

"It's overshadowed everything today and it's been an awful day.

"At the end of the day we all fight for three points but the major thing for us is a lad's safety and his career.

"We're a bit shell shocked from that and it's overshadowed the actual loss which we'd have been disappointed about."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version