Oxford United players showed their softer side while winning against Morecambe on Saturday to show their appreciation of fan Val Kemish.
Val's seat is in the Oxford Mail East Stand and she may well be the unluckiest fan around. Last season in the warm up before a game Sam Deering's wayward practice shot hit her on the head. Although the midfielder apologized immediately he was horror stricken last week when lightning struck twice! During the warm up sub Simon Eastwood's shot flew high, wide and handsome and unbelievably knocked Val over for a second time: same person, same seat!
Mrs Kemish visited the St John's Ambulance crew then resumed her seat, but felt unwell and left the ground and missed the game.
Big hearted Simon, who rushed into the crowd to apologise when the incident occurred, heard that she had missed the game and he and Sam organised a bunch of yellow and blue flowers which they delivered to Val at half time on Saturday. Better safe than sorry: Sam presented her with a hard hat signed by the whole team!
Simon said:
"I rushed to check she was OK immediately after the ball hit her, but when I heard she missed the game I was gutted. Then Sam said that he thought it was the same lady he'd hit with the ball the year before! The least we could do was some flowers, and hopefully she won't need the hard hat any more. I think I might stick to saving shots in the warm up from now on."
