- One player was taken to hospital after a hard tackle stopped play.
- Greg Olley is in a stable condition and will require surgery after the terrible blow.
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The ‘worst tackle’ some fans have ever seen resulted in one player being rushed to hospital with a broken leg and left a National League game on Saturday suspended.
Fans want Woking’s Dion Kelly-Evans banned for life after his disgusting sliding tackle left Gateshead’s Greg Olley crumpled to the ground.
Kelly-Evans was shown a red card and ambulances were called to the pitch as players clashed and feared for Olley’s health less than 15 minutes into the match.
Gateshead later confirmed Olley was in a “stable condition” and revealed plans for surgery on Sunday, having led 2-0 once play resumed after 40 minutes.
“Kelly-Evans should never step foot on a football pitch again. I have no sympathy for Olley,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
A ‘horrible’ tackle left Greg Olley hospitalised as Gateshead’s trip to Woking was called off
Gateshead’s stars started with Dion Kelly-Evans and then took revenge with a 2-0 win
“This is the worst entry I’ve ever seen,” said one.
“Dude, that’s horrible. Longer bans for tackles like this are 100% necessary,” another commented.
“A complete scoundrel. Thoughts with Greg and the Gateshead lads tonight,” said one.
“It was a horrible tackle and at worst he will only get a four- to five-match ban,” another fan speculated. A straight red card carries an automatic three-match ban, but players can be banned for longer.
One fan had a more sympathetic view of Kelly-Evans, writing: “Personally I feel gutted for Olley but I think it was just bad luck that his leg ended up on the ground. Yeah it was a poor challenge but I don’t think the lad meant any harm. Hope Olley is back soon and back to his best form! You’ll be back soon mate!”
“I understand Gateshead fans aren’t happy with Kelly Evans and it was a bad tackle, but the lad is a good lad and I know he’ll be upset,” said another.
Fans gave Olley a standing ovation after he suffered the injury.
Several Gateshead players began rowing around Kelly-Evans and pushing him as their team-mate lay on the turf receiving medical attention.
Greg Olley (left) is Gateshead captain and won the FA Vase with the club last season.
Woking fans believe Dion Kelly-Evans, pictured with Notts County, would apologise
A message passed to local reporter Mark Carruthers from Olley’s father said he was “in good spirits” and “grateful” for the messages being sent to him.
Kenton Richardson and Mark Benk scored to ensure Gateshead took three points and moved top of the National League with two wins from two.
“We’re in uncharted territory with everything so we just need to get Greg through to make sure he’s OK and give him the best support,” Newcastle manager and former goalkeeper Rob Elliott said after the match.
‘I’m absolutely heartbroken and devastated because there was no need for me to be in that situation.
“We just have to make sure we’re there for Greggy, support him and move forward from there.”
Olley, 28, is the captain of the Gateshead club and last season lifted the FA Trophy and helped the team reach the National League play-offs. He has been at the club since 2018, having joined Hull.