PARAMEDICS called to a boys' football match in Oxford were delayed from reaching a teenager with a broken leg by a barrier at the council-run pitch.

The under-14s Oxford Mail Boys League game between Florence Park and Marston Saints was abandoned after Florence Park player Josh Mears dislocated his left ankle in a tackle and broke two bones in his leg.

A height-restriction barrier at the car park at Cowley Marsh, off Cowley Road, prevented paramedics from getting an ambulance alongside the pitch, and supporters knocked down a gate to allow the ambulance access from another side of the pitch because a second entry point was locked.

The game on Sunday last week was abandoned after 30 minutes and the 14-year-old, from Thame, was recovering in hospital yesterday.

Florence Park manager Nigel Huish called for the city council to find a solution, adding: "Poor Josh was lying in agony on the pitch for longer than necessary because the ambulance found it hard to reach him.

"Josh's parents Rob and Nicki and everyone involved wants this issue to be properly addressed because in these situations every minute can be vital."

The teenager was treated by a paramedic who carried his equipment to the pitch. He arrived within nine minutes of the emergency call being made at 2.45pm.

But the ambulance which arrived at 3.05pm was not able to leave for hospital until 3.19pm.

Gordon Clarke, manager of Marston All Saints, added: "It was very upsetting to see a young lad howling in agony on the pitch and I don't think games should be played there until this situation is sorted out because you cannot guarantee the children's safety."

It was the second time in three months that the barrier has caused a problem for para- medics.

In February, at the under-12s fixture between Oxford Irish and Oxford Africa Refugees Family Development Committee (OARFDC), a 65-year-old man collapsed as he watched the game. He had suffered a suspected heart attack and later died.

On that occasion, South Central Ambulance paramedics were forced to use a stretcher to transport the man from the pitch to the ambulance - although the service stressed that his treatment was not compromised.

Louisa Dean, of Oxford City Council, said: "We are going to meet the ambulance service on site and work on setting a protocol for emergency vehicles to gain access to the area."