Camden Sports - STEVE BARNETT Published: 06 November 2008
Martin Lovejoy with Reddot mascot Sonny Dowsett
Lovejoy’s return signals goal rush
Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup
CUP holders Reddot breezed into the quarter-finals with a monumental victory over Enate United.
But the mammoth 14-1 scoreline was overshadowed by the long-awaited return of right-back Martin Lovejoy.
The 22-year-old defender, pictured left with Reddot mascot Sonny Dowsett, hasn’t played since March after severely damaging his right knee in a top-of-the-table clash against Phoenix.
After eight months on the sidelines, Lovejoy, who lives in Queen’s Crescent, made a scoring return to action on Sunday with a acrobatic diving header.
After the game he said: “I was a bit nervous before kick-off, but my confidence quickly returned with my first sliding tackle of the game. When I was on crutches it was difficult because I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to play again. But after what has felt like an eternity, I’m delighted to be back.”
Despite only having the bare minimum 11 players, Reddot ran riot on Sunday. Steven Bruce and Jason Medford both hit hat-tricks, while Tony Dowsett and Emanuel Hanson scored two goals apiece. Man-of-the-match Adam Nicolaou, Paul Reid and Liam Barnabie were also all on target.
The Dots will now face either Phoenix or Moorehouse in the final eight.