Club's first match after player's death abandoned because of serious injury

A match involving a team playing for the first time since the death of one of their players was abandoned because of a serious injury.

Non-league Hendon were returning to action for the first time since midfielder Ezekiel Williams, 26, died in hospital on 2 November from head injuries after an incident in Milton Keynes.

Saturday's game at Bedfont Sports in the Isthmian League South Central Division was abandoned within 10 minutes after Hendon defender Ethan Creary was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A Hendon statement read: "Early signs are that he's suffered a double break to the collarbone, possible shoulder ligament damage and concussion."

Hendon posted a picture of Creary, external in hospital wearing his kit with a message from the player.

"I have to be in the ward for 24 hours to assess any potential bleed in the brain. It's just protocol and I woke up feeling OK," Creary said.

Before Saturday's game, players from Hendon and Bedfont Sports observed a minute's silence for Williams.