March Town Ladies’ first ever FA Cup tie had to be stopped for 40 minutes after one of their players got a serious injury.

Cambs Times: March Town United Ladies play first ever FA Cup tie. Striker Emma Searle waiting for Ambulance, Emma had injured her ankle in a tackle. Picture: Steve Williams.March Town United Ladies play first ever FA Cup tie. Striker Emma Searle waiting for Ambulance, Emma had injured her ankle in a tackle. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

Emma Searle gave the hosts an unexpected early lead against Northanptonshire side Roade FC but, in the eighth minute, she injured her ankle.

Searle received treatment on the pitch before being taken away in an ambulance. She will be out for six weeks with a badly sprained ankle.

Manager Gary Davis said: “She went to pass the ball and her ankle rolled over. She felt a crack. There was no one else involved.

“The hospital says it’s badly sprained, which is a good result because it could have been broken. They say she’ll be out for six weeks.”

March held the lead until 25 minutes but the game finished 7-1 to Roade.