THORNWELL'S Kenny Vidler was carried off the pitch after his leg was broken in what the club describe as a "horror" tackle.

The stomach-churning moment came as everything went against the Chepstow side half an hour into this Gwent County League match.

Despite being in agony Vidler put off going to hospital until the following morning because he didn't fancy getting stuck in Accident and Emergency for hours on a Saturday night.

Vidler helped put his side ahead after his shot hit the bar and fell to Matthew Pearce to tap in.

Tranch had a chance that was well saved by Thornwell keeper Dan Northey but the Pontypool side were being caught offside time after time.

The home side equalised before Rory Pettyjohns lobbed the Tranch keeper to restore the lead.

Thornwell gave away a soft free kick which allowed Tranch to level again.

Then in a twenty  minute spell it all went wrong for Thornwell. Vidler suffered what turned out to be a broken leg from a two-footed tackle from behind by Chris Bradbury.

Thornwell manager Terry Woodward said: "It had to be a red card but referee Andy Jones bottled it and only gave a yellow."

Five minutes later Thornwell goalscorer Pearce had to leave the field after another bad tackle and another yellow card. Tranch made it 3-2 from close in while Thornwell's Daniel Hines had a shot cleared off the line.

The visitors lost their third midfield player when Rory Prettyjohns had to leave the field.

With this Tranch ran riot in a ten minute spell with four goals 7-2.

Thornwell's Terry Woodward's free kick found Julian Saunders who shot it the inside of the post, Hines followed it up and also hit the post.

Hines then ran through the Tranch defence to make it 7-3 before Tranch made it 8-3.

Thornwell wouldn't lay down with Saunders and Chris Rees shooting just wide before Hines scored again to make the final score 8-4.

Thornwell players and staff said they would like to send a message – "get well soon Kenny."

 Thornwell have the chance for a quick revenge when Tranch are the visitors to Tenby Lane this weekend.