Non-league club’s first match since player’s death abandoned due to serious injury

A non-league club’s first match since a player’s death was called off due to a serious injury to another player. Hendon FC were slated to play Bedfont Sports in the Isthmian League South Central Division this Saturday, in their first game since midfielder Ezekiel Williams died in hospital on 2 November. Players from both clubs observed a minute’s silence to pay their respects before the match. However, it was called off seven minutes in after an injury to defender Ethan Creary, who was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and to hospital. The club announced hours later that Creary was “conscious, talking, and feeling better than earlier”. “Early signs are that he's suffered a double break to the collarbone, possible shoulder ligament damage and concussion,” the club explained. A further update on Sunday, posted on the club’s X account, featured a message from Creary: “I have a double break to the collar bone, will find out sometime this week whether it requires surgery. I have to be in the ward for 24hrs to assess any potential bleed in the brain, it’s just protocol and I woke up feeling okay. “The reason I wanted to come here boys is because something special will happen here. Nothing changes in my eyes, with God & Ezekiel watching over us, no one can stand in our way.” A statement by Hendon on Sunday said that a new date for the postponed game against Bedfont Sports would be announced “in due course”. 26-year-old Williams died due to head injuries suffered in an incident in Milton Keynes in the early hours of 1 November. Two men have since been charged with murder.