Scottish Junior Cup clash abandoned after ‘severe’ ankle injury to Forres Thistle player at Lugar Boswell Thistle

A Scottish Junior Cup match was abandoned after a “severe” injury to a young player.

Forres Thistle’s Adam Souter had only been on the pitch for a minute of his side’s cup clash with Lugar Boswell Thistle when he broke his ankle.

Souter came on as a substitute with the Jags trailing 7-0 to the Ayrshire side after an hour.

Within a minute, he suffered a serious non-contact ankle injury that forced the referee to abandon the game.

A Forres Thistle spokesperson said: “I don't think anyone was in the mood to continue.

“The referee abandoned it after about five minutes when the extent of the injury was clear.”

Souter waited 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive but was still able to “have the odd joke” despite being in “a lot of pain”.

He was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on Saturday night and had an operation on the break on Sunday.

Adam, his family and Forres Thistle jumped on social media to thank Lugar for their hospitality and help.

Lugar's first aider Ian Lowe, who is a paramedic, was the recipient of the club’s thanks - as he stayed with Adam and supported him as he lay in agony.

“We wish Adam Souter a speedy recovery and can't thank Lugar Boswell Thistle enough for the care and assistance they gave to our player,” Forres Thistle said in a Facebook post.

“Ian Lowe, we genuinely can't thank you enough for the care you gave to Adam.

“We don't have enough words to describe how grateful and thankful we are.”

Given the match was unfinished - with 29 minutes to play - competition rules state that the match should be replayed.

However, Thistle felt that it was best to forfeit the match and informed the Scottish Junior FA of their decision, which was accepted by the governing body.

A SJFA statement reads: “In the match between Lugar Boswell Thistle and Forres Thistle, a Forres player sustained a severe ankle injury, an ambulance was called and, after a lengthy wait, the player was taken to hospital.

“Lugar were winning 7-0 with 29 minutes to go. Given the circumstances and after discussions with relevant bodies, Forres Thistle have decided to forfeit the tie.

“This decision has been accepted by the SJFA.”

The Jags wished Lugar all the best in the next round, where they will face either Finnart or Cambuslang.