Westfield ace’s broken leg woe

The jet-heeled full-back or wide midfielder fractured one of his shin bones just above his ankle playing for the second team last weekend.

It caused the Sussex County League Reserve Section (East) match at home to Rye United to be abandoned after 70 minutes with the score 1-1. Chris Smith netted Westfield’s equaliser.

Westfield joint manager Tony Harris said: “He’s a cracking lad and everyone connected with the club is obviously disappointed. He’s had a decent season as well to be fair and he only went with the reserves to get a bit of game time.”

Smith, who works as an engineer, was taken to hospital before being released on Sunday afternoon. Peanut, as his team-mates often refer to him, had a full leg cast fitted on Monday and has been told to stay off it for three or four months.

Smith’s injury came six days after midfielder James Gatcum sustained a broken toe that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

For all the latest on Westfield Football Club, see Friday’s Hastings and Battle Observers.