Teenage goalkeeper suffers serious injuries during game

Pavels Matuejeus, 17, was in goal for the Central Midlands side’s game against Mickleover Sports when he suffered a blow that damaged his kidney and spleen.

The Latvian youngster. who lives near Leeds, was taken to Rotherham General Hospital, where he remained as the Guardian went to print.

First team manager Steve Toyne told the Guardian: “Their forward slid in, the referee said it was 50:50, but the lad has caught him and when we’ve got to the hospital they’ve said it looked like he’d been in a car crash.”

“It was touch and go for his kidney, it’s very badly damaged and they were talking about taking it out. I was with him at the hospital until midnight on Saturday, and he was still in the high dependency unit on Wednesday.”

“Everyone at the club wishes him well, it’s upsetting to see such a young lad with a serious injury, he’s a lovely lad as well.”