Liversedge game abandoned after player suffers seizure

Liversedge player Craig Billington collapsed and was rushed to hospital during Monday's Northern Counties East League Premier Division game against Hall Road Rangers.
oe Walton scored his 28th goal of the season and 25th in the NCE League Premier Division as Liversedge defeated Staveley 4-0 on Tuesday, their second game in 24 hours.oe Walton scored his 28th goal of the season and 25th in the NCE League Premier Division as Liversedge defeated Staveley 4-0 on Tuesday, their second game in 24 hours.
oe Walton scored his 28th goal of the season and 25th in the NCE League Premier Division as Liversedge defeated Staveley 4-0 on Tuesday, their second game in 24 hours.

Billington was substituted after feeling unwell during the second half but then collapsed, leading to the match being abandoned after 78 minutes.

Billington spent Monday night in hospital but was well enough to Tweet a message to his followers on Tuesday morning.

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Billington Tweeted: “Hi all, thank you for the tweets and text and concern. Just letting you know, I had a seizure while playing and as I’ve come off it’s got worse.

“Thankfully all @Liversedge_FC and the lad @HRRFC helped out a lot and then of course the paramedics. Feeling tired and headache this (Tuesday) morning so hopefully no knock on effects.

“Again thank you for all the tweets and texts of well wishes and I’ll be back playing soon!”

Liversedge also issued a statement thanking fellow NCE League clubs and supporters for showing concern for Billington.

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The statement said: “Liversedge would like to thank all clubs for their messages of support for the wellbeing of the player that suffered a seizure in Monday night’s match.

“The player spent a night in hospital and is now fit and well!

“Also, thanks to Hall Road Rangers for their concern and understanding, allowing a game to finish on 78 minutes when the game was crucial in their league placings.”

Hall Road had taken the lead with a Chris Spinks deflected free-kick and Spinks doubled their advantage with his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot.

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Sedge pulled a goal back in the 48th minute when Joe Walton slipped through a neat pass for Josh Greenhaugh to roll the ball into the far corner of the net.

Hall Road added a third through a Hansen tap in before Liversedge fought back.

Just a minute later, Sedge broke up the left and Greenhaugh was left with a tap in.

Greenhaugh then completed his hat-trick with a superb volley after the visitors failed to clear their lines properly.

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There were concerns as the match was halted for Billington to receive treatment and it was abandoned soon after as he was taken to hospital, although the 3-3 scoreline will stand.

Liversedge were back in action less than 24 hours after Monday’s dramatic conclusion, as they met Staveley Miners Welfare on Tuesday.

Liversedge defied the odds of playing a seventh game in the space of just 13 days as they overcame Staveley 4-0.

It was Liversedge’s third home win out of the last four as Greenhaugh took his goals tally to five in two days with another brace.

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Joe Walton gave Sedge a 1-0 lead at half-time, while Hill saw a goalbound shot deflected in off Gibson.

Sedge suffered a 5-0 defeat away to title chasing Pontefract Collieries last Saturday as the fixture pile-up took its toll.

They had earned a 2-2 draw away to Staveley the previous Thursday when Kristijan Boskovski’s 90th minute goal rescued a point but they were always going to struggle playing a fifth game in 10 days.

Former Liversedge man Ely Hey put Pontefract ahead and Jack Greenhough doubled the lead after just four minutes.

Spencer Clarke added a third with goals from Aaron Moxam and Hey completing the win.

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