Footballer to have cheekbone reconstruction surgery after sickening collision with opponent

A non-league footballer will undergo cheek reconstruction surgery after a horror collision with an opponent.

Joe Tennent, who plays for Dartford FC in the Isthmian Premier League, was slammed into by a Welling United striker.

Tennent was looking to play the ball out from defence before Nahum Melvin-Lambert chased him down and smashed into him.

Melvin-Lambert charged into the Dartford star and seemed to connect with his right arm on Tennent’s head.

The sickening moment left Tennent in a heap on the ground and he eventually had to be substituted after the incident.

Meanwhile, Melvin-Lambert was only booked for the foul.

Dartford went on to lose the game 4-0 to Welling on Saturday.

Update on Tennent issued

Dartford then gave an update on Tennent on Sunday afternoon.

The non-league side revealed that he was going to have to undergo surgery for his serious facial injuries.

The club wrote: “Joe sustained displaced facial fractures and will undergo cheekbone reconstruction surgery on Wednesday.

“We wish Joe and his family our very best and a speedy recovery.

“The club will explore official channels following the incident.”

Immediate concern

Dartford boss Ben Greenhalgh was concerned about Tennent post-match and believed his injury played a big part in his side’s loss.

Greenhalgh said: “I think a really big, key part of today was losing Joe Tennent…. it was a derby game so we knew there were going to be moments.

“I can’t blame the ref for the game. That has changed it but our second-half performance was really poor.

“We lost Joe and I’m not saying we capitulated, but we went a bit off-script.

“I am disappointed to lose Joe in that manner. I don’t know how it works from here onwards.

“It didn’t seem like a concussion from what we’re told, but it’s a possible broken jaw that doesn’t sound good at all.”