Home / Club Teams / Accrington Stanley Match Abandoned After Tom Bender Concussion

 

Last nights match between Accrington Stanley and Tranmere was abandoned after the 39th minute following a serious injury to Tom Bender. Bender, a Accrington defender, was pursuing a high ball in to the box with an unnamed Tranmere striker right behind him when Accrington’s goalie, Ian Dubavin, also came out to punch the ball. Apparently, through a lack of communication, Dunbavin went to punch the ball as Bender went to head it and all it took as an accidental nudge from the Tranmere striker to push Bender’s head into the path of Dunbavin’s fist.

Bender immediately fell to the ground unconscious and medical treatment was called for. He was worked on by medics for over half an hour before being stretchered out of the stadium on an IV, and taken to a Blackburn hospital, accompanied by his father who had travelled from Essex to watch the game. Initially, it was feared Bender had broken his neck, but scans have revealed he only has a severe concussion.

“I don’t think anyone was interested in the game after he went in the ambulance,” said Reds chief executive Rob Heys.

“Credit to Tranmere, I don’t think any of their fans or players were too concerned about it being called off either.

“The medical staff at the ground stabilised his condition and the paramedics took him over the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

“We’ve got a very experienced club doctor who has been with us for 10 years and hopefully that’s done enough to see Tom right.”

Stanley manager John Coleman said: “Their striker was trying to get the ball.

“He was eager and it led to Tom’s momentum going on to a full-blooded punch from Bavs.

“It was like double the force and the fact Tom didn’t move when he hit the floor is a concern. The lads immediately knew something was wrong and waved the physio over straight away.

“The physio admitted it was scary. They didn’t want to move Tom and we just had to wait for the ambulance to arrive, which obviously took some time.

“His dad was here watching and he has gone to hospital with Tom so he is close at hand.

“He is now in the safest hands and we’ve just got to hope and pray everything is okay.”

All of the staff here at soccerprose.com hope Bender can return to football soon, and wish him all the best in his recovery.

Written by: Matthew Wall, editor, soccerprose.com

 

About the author: Matthew Wall

 

I've played soccer since I could walk thanks to my father and love keeping up on all the latest gear and gab. I'm in my twenties, and I'm lucky enough to have found work in search marketing for a leading soccer retailer after completing my M.A. at Georgetown in 2008. My team is Liverpool, and national side is Ireland, but I've also got a passion for GAA and a number of sports. Feel free to give me a shout on Google+

 

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