Concussion protocol came into force giving the referee no option other than to abandon the Isthmian South East game between Phoenix Sports and Beckenham Town.

Harry Gamble, the Becks’ captain, took a knock to the head in the first half and needed treatment. He was deemed fit to continue and appeared to be okay as he walked into the changing room at half time.

When the two teams came out for the second half, he still seemed fine until he vomited suddenly, and collapsed. Physios from both sides, and other medical experts, kept him warm and monitored him closely before an ambulance was called.

Referee Samuel Everitt spoke to both managers before declaring that the game would be abandoned. Eventually, a conscious Gamble was helped into the ambulance and taken to hospital for checks.

In the forty-five minutes that were played it was the visitors who started the more lively. Finlay Lovett fired over before a good move freed Freddie Nyhus to trick his way to the bye-line. He pulled it back to Lovett but the Beckenham striker was again unable to keep his shot down.

Denzelle Olopade then had the hosts’ first opportunity. He met Ryan Hayes’ corner with a firm downward header and Nick Blue got across to make a stunning save. It came back out and Olopade hit it first time but was aghast to see it fly back out off the post.

Shortly after, Hayes’ participation in the match came to an end. He involved himself in an off the ball incident and was shown a red card.

Gamble had a chance for the Becks with a side-foot shot that struck team-mate Dieko Falade and flew wide before Gael Kileba had a shot deflected past the post at the other end.

As the first half came to a close, the visitors again threatened. Funsho Sinai made a good break but shot wide when a better option may have been a pass out to Nyhus, then Falade had an effort deflected over.  

All was set up for an interesting second half before the game was brought to a premature end, with it to be rearranged at a date to be announced.

Phoenix Sports: Walker, Douglas, Oladejo, Olopade, Peter, Lahan, Hayes, O’Connor, Brodie, King, Kileba.

Subs not used: Valler, Mansaray, Sesay-De Luca, Day, Falana.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: Kileba

Red card: Hayes

Beckenham Town: Blue, Paul, Nyhus, Olusanya, Carter, Wanogho, Sinai, Gamble, Falade, Lovett, Townsend.

Unused subs: Anderson, Griffin, Allen, Hall, Pink.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Samuel Everitt

Assistants: Esther Perry and Dayne Uylett

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.