IT was a mixed bag for Ilkley Town forward Dan Smith on Saturday, as the Baht’atters came away from Brigg Town having claimed a 2-0 victory.
Unfortunately for Smith, despite putting his side ahead in spectacular fashion in the 37th minute, five minutes later the tricky attacker had to be stretchered off with a horror injury.
As of Sunday (October 6), Smith remained in hospital, and it has since been confirmed that he suffered an osteochondral depression of the knee and small fracture of the fibula.
Town further commented: “We await news of possible surgery.”
It was only five minutes earlier that Smith was doing his best impression of goal of the season.
A deflected Ilkley shot looped high into the sky, but Smith judged the flight of the ball expertly, before pulling off a sumptuous overhead kick to leave Brigg’s goalkeeper with no chance. The ball nestled into the far-right corner to put Ilkley 1-0 in front.
*Injury Update* @DanSmth07 remains in hospital & has suffered a osteochondral depression of the knee & small fracture of the fibula. We await news of possible surgery. In the meantime let’s marvel at the GOTS contender he scored yesterday only 5 mins before his injury @NCEL pic.twitter.com/dMTgtkG8C9
— Ilkley Town AFC (@ilkleytown) October 6, 2024
The visitors doubled their lead in the second half through Alfie Dean. Town’s no10 collected the ball on the edge of the box, before firing a fierce low drive into the bottom corner of Brigg’s goal.
Ilkley currently remain 6th in the NCEL Division One but they do have a game in hand on the side above them, Athersley Recreation, who sit three points ahead of Town.
Sam Dexter’s side return to league action tomorrow evening when they host Club Thorne Colliery at 8:00 pm.
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