ABANDONING Evesham United’s friendly against Hereford United following a clash of heads between two Bulls trialists was the right decision, according to Robins manager Matt Clarke.

The pre-season fixture was called off 20 minutes into the second-half at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium, with the score at 0-0, after defenders Chris Carruthers and Greg Tindle collided.

Both were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where former Chippenham Town centre-half Tindle, who sustained a hairline fracture to an eye socket, needed 24 stitches and ex-York City defender Carruthers 10.

Clarke felt referee Thomas Blanch was correct to halt proceedings, adding: “Nobody wanted to take any risks, there was a lot of blood and it shook a few of the players up.”

Hereford boss Martin Foyle said: “Chris had stitches but was not concussed. “He’ll be running again in two or three days but won’t play in the next couple of matches.

“Greg had 24 stitches and also had a hair-line fracture.”

It was a disappointing conclusion for the 286 spectators who had seen Evesham more than match their higher-graded opponents.

Hereford keeper Dan Hanford saved well from Neil MacKenzie’s free-kick and, at the other end, Sean Canham forced a decent save out of trialist Nick Thomas.

At the start of the second-half Hanford made a good block to deny Marcus Palmer and Bulls’ substitute Marley Watkins showed a good turn of pace only to shoot wide of the target.

Clarke, whose side host newly-promoted League One side Shrewsbury Town in their next warm-up match tomorrow night (7.45), said: “We more than matched them in the first-half. “There were a lot of positives and I thought we looked strong defensively, good in the middle of the park and a threat going forward.”

Evesham: Thomas, Williams, Masutto, Robinson, Eze, Hicks, Mackenzie, Dowing, Corbett, Palmer, Agbor. Subs: Tulloch, Wellings, Connor, Rhodes, Osborne, P Jones, J Jones.

Hereford: Hanford, Odhiambo, Stam, Tindle, Carruthers, Brown, Pell, Evans, McQuilkin, Macklin, Canham. Subs: Bird, Gallinagh, Watkins, Graham, Bowman, Clucas, Smith, Clist.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers recorded a 3-1 friendly victory at West Midlands Premier Division club Wulfrunians.

Tomorrow night they tackle neighbours Stourport Swifts at Walshes Meadow (7.45pm).