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CAIRNLEA endured one of its darkest days in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 on Saturday and it had nothing to do with the outcome of a game.
Players and officials were inconsolable after watching left back and popular clubman Paul Procikevic sustain a season-ending injury.
Procikevic went in for a challenge in second-half stoppage time during the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Sunbury United at Cairnlea Park and came out with a suspected broken shin.
The club’s first aid officer told Procikevic to keep the leg stable to limit further damage to the limb.
The obvious pain etched on Procikevic’s face could be felt by the 50 supporters who went to his side after the match.
When the Weekly spoke to Reds vice-president Sam Hulusi 50 minutes after the game, an ambulance still had not arrived at the ground.
“It’s an horrific injury,” Hulusi said. “We’re pretty devastated by it; we’re not too worried about the result of the match at the moment.”
Procikevic is a much-loved figure at Cairnlea and respected across the competition. The club’s Facebook page was filled with best wishes for ‘Rocky’ from the club’s supporters but opposition players and coaches.
The Reds will have a massive void in the team, losing an on-field leader and a versatile player who’s adept on the left side of defence or central midfield.
“We all love him,” Hulusi said. “He’s an A grade leader and he has plenty of passion.’’ He’s always the first to come to the club and one of the last to leave. ”
Cairnlea’s goal came from striker Adem Alicevic after some nice inter-play with captain Mustafa Mustafa.
The Reds managed to keep hold of top spot with a share of the points, but that couldn’t have been further from their minds post-game.
Elsewhere in state league 3, North Sunshine Eagles played out a nil-all draw with Sporting Whittlesea, while Westvale claimed a 2-1 win over Melbourne University on the road.
In Premier League, Green Gully has returned home with a 2-0 win over Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday night.
In state league 4, Western Eagles lost 2-1 away to Corio, while in state league 5, Spring Hills battered Sunshine Heights Western Tigers 6-1.
