A FREAK injury has ruled Dave Macey out of the Melksham Town team for Tuesday night's Wilts Senior Cup final with Corsham Town.

Macey has his shoulder in a sling after suffering the injury during a light-hearted kickabout. Macey dislocated his shoulder making what he describes as a "world class save" from Westbury United's Ashley Groves during a kick around with some old friends.

His cat-like reflexes ruled him out of the Easter Monday derby against Devizes Town and will cost him his place against holders Corsham Town in the Wilts Senior Cup final at Chippenham Town's Hardenhuish Park ground on Tuesday night.

Macey said: "Everyone was back from university so we went for a kick-about on the field. I put the gloves on and went in goal. "I was trying to keep a clean sheet and I pulled off this world class save, but I felt my shoulder click out of place.

"When I hit the ground I was in pain but everyone else was laughing at me. They thought I was joking around. I'm gutted because I really wanted to play against Devizes and Corsham."

Long-suffering Melksham manager Kelvin Highmore said Macey could have made the difference on Monday as Melksham failed to break the resolute Devizes defence and went down to a 1-0 defeat.

Highmore said: "Dave is a vital player for us. When Devizes went down to 10 men in the second half we needed someone with imagination to play that telling pass. "Getting injured in a practice match is the kind of excuse you expect from your kids, but not from a 22-year-old. When he phoned to tell me what happened I hung up because I thought he was joking."

  • Full Toolstation League round-up and previews in Friday's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News.