Non-league match delayed by an hour as player leaves in ambulance after horror tackle
Gateshead midfielder and captain Greg Olley was clattered by Woking's Dion Kelly-Evans during their National League fixture at the Kingfield Stadium on Saturday
A horror tackle led to Saturday's National League clash between Woking and Gateshead being suspended for more than an hour, as the injured player left in an ambulance.
Gateshead captain Greg Olley was on the receiving end of a brutal challenge from Dion Kelly-Evans in the 13th minute, resulting in a straight red card for the Woking defender. Olley, 28, quickly received treatment on the pitch as a stretcher was immediately called for at the Kingfield Stadium in Surrey.
Seven minutes later, both teams were told to return to their respective dressing rooms by referee Matthew Russell, as Olley continued to be seen to by the medical staff. Russell then decided to suspended the game by a further 30 minutes.
During that period, the Durham-born midfielder was taken away in one of two ambulance vehicles which had been driven onto the pitch. Both sets of supporters gave a standing ovation. It was then announced that the game would restart from the 13th minute at 4:15pm, more than an hour after Kelly-Evans' tackle.
The home team posted on their X account: "Everyone at Woking Football Club wishes Greg Olley a speedy recovery."
Post-match, Gateshead boss Rob Elliot provided an update by saying: "What we do know is that he's in the right place. He's gone to hospital and we'll just have to see what the situation is, we'll have to assess that as we go. We're into unknown territory here with everything, so we just have to get around Greg to make sure he's okay and give him the best support.
"The first thing is that Frazer Bell and the doctor and physio at Woking were fantastic in getting him organised, and making sure after a lengthy spell that Greg was in a comfortable place. I'm absolutely gutted and devastated because there's no need for it to be in that situation. We just have to make sure that we’re there for Greggy, support him and take it from there.
"Greggy wanted us to play the game and carry on. It was more the lads that dictated it, I was quite distressed and I wanted to call the game off. The lads and Greggy made the right decision, and I thought we went about the game really well, but it's kind of hard to talk about the football after that to be honest."
Olley's absence is set to be a major blow for the Heed, as the attacking midfielder scored a hat-trick in last weekend's 5-1 win at home to Ebbsfleet United, kicking off their season in style. When the game at Woking restarted, Ben Worman was chosen to replace Olley, who's spent the last six years at Gateshead after leaving Hull City in 2018.
The visitors took the lead on the brink of half-time when centre-back Kenton Richardson shot from 25 yards and a deflection took it past goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen, the son of former Bolton Wanderers star Jussi. Gateshead then wrapped up all three points in the 82nd minute through striker Mark Beck.
The win made it two from two for ex- Newcastle goalkeeper Elliot's men, who finished in the play-offs last season, although they didn't compete due to failing to meet the 10-year security of tenure at their 11,800-seater stadium, a requirement for clubs in the EFL.
Gateshead are considering moving to a new ground to avoid facing the same issue if they're in the fight for promotion again this season. Elliot and co will be hoping to continue their perfect start when they make the trip to Halifax Town on Tuesday.
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