Contributor Brian Kirk went beyond the call of duty this weekend, submitting reports via his laptop from a hospital bed after suffering a double leg fracture while playing in goal for Marston Saints against Horspath.

Kirk, who was 55 yesterday, suffered the injury five minutes into their Oxfordshire Senior Cup third-round tie when he went in for a 50-50 challenge with Horspath’s Paul Cooper following an underhit backpass.

Marston match secretary Michael Stanley said: “We didn’t have another keeper which meant it wasn’t a contest.

“It was a nasty break. He knew it was bad straight away, but there was no malice at all in the challenge. It was just one of those things.”

Stanley added: “He’s going to be out for a very long time and definitely won’t play again this season.

“He’s already had an operation and had another one yesterday, and he’s due to have another in a couple of months’ time.”

Marston eventually lost the game 7-1, with Paul Flack (4), Robbie Eason, James Keeble, and Jordan Reid on target for Horspath.

Tom Paine replied for the hosts with a penalty.