A YOUNG Worcester football player has been relegated to the couch after breaking his arm and collarbone in the first match of the season.

Andrew McLay, of Barbourne, scored three goals in his debut game for Worcester Juniors before being carried off in an ambulance in agony.

Coach Cliff Adams said the plucky 13-year-old had "made the difference" in the local derby against Warndon Boys, which resulted in a final score of 4-1.

"Andrew is the kind of player who always gives 110 per cent. He's the kind of player who would sustain this kind of injury because of his commitment," he said.

"It was a spirited game - there's a friendly rivalry between the two teams - and it was Andrew's efforts that made the difference."

Andrew scored three goals in the first half of the game. Team-mate Tim Brown scored a fourth to put the Worcester Juniors 4-0 up at half time.

Fifteen minutes into the second half of the game, played at Worcester's Slingpool Walk playing fields on Sunday, tragedy struck.

"I had the ball and I took it past the defender," said Andrew, a pupil at Bishop Perowne CE High School.

"The keeper ran out and we collided and I fell on the ground shouting."

Andrew was taken to Ronkswood A&E and from there to Castle Street, where he was kept in for two days. His left arm and right collarbone were broken.

The teenager, who wants to be a professional footballer, said he was "annoyed" because he would not be able to play for a while.

"The plaster will come off after three weeks but then I have to rest and see what happens. It's very frustrating," he said. "I love the game."