TRANMERE Rovers manager Les Parry gave his full backing to the decision to abandon last night’s match at Accrington Stanley after home player Tom Bender sustained a serious injury.
On-loan Colchester defender Bender, 18, was knocked unconscious in an accidental collision with home keeper Ian Dunbavin as he raced out to clear the ball in the 38th minute.
Bender’s head caught the full force of a punch from Dunbavin and, after receiving treatment on the pitch for more than 30 minutes, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy was called off by referee Robert Lewis with Tranmere leading 2-1.
Bender needed oxygen and a drip as he lay prone on the pitch. He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for scans and was reportedly regaining consciousness as he was taken into an ambulance.
Rovers manager Parry said: “At the end of the day, it’s a game of football. When somebody’s health is involved, that’s got to take precedence.”
Parry is a fully qualified physiotherapist with more than 20 years’ experience but he stayed off the pitch with his players while Bender was being treated by Accrington club doctor Joyce Watson and other medics, including a qualified doctor from Tranmere’s group of visiting supporters.
