A SERIOUS injury to Rhyl FC playmaker Matthew Cook marred their 2-1 triumph at JD Cymru North rivals Flint Town United.

The influential squad member needed lengthy treatment following a collision midway through the first half at Cae y Castell, which saw Cook eventually replaced by recent summer signing from Conwy Borough Tommy Creamer.

Cook was taken to hospital where it was confirmed the midfielder had suffered a broken leg, which is expected to put him on the side-lines for the entire second tier campaign.

Lilies’ coach Richard Williams-Cooke, said: “It doesn’t look good to be fair and we are absolutely gutted about it.

“There was nothing malicious in the tackle as I think they just went across each other and there is no fault.

“We just hope he is going to be okay and as a club we will do everything we can to help him with his recovery.”

Cook arrived at the Educate Group Stadium from Denbigh Town last summer and became an instant fans’ favourite thanks to his consistent performances in the middle of the park.

He made 225 appearances in the JD Cymru Premier with spells at Cefn Druids, Airbus Broughton and Newtown, and he captained the Robins during a five-year spell, making 132 appearances and scoring 14 goals.

The likes of Creamer, Dave McIntyre, Leo Riley and Ross Stephens will now be expected to fill the void left by Cook, which represents plenty of options for Eddie Maurice-Jones to call upon after an impressive display during their first competitive fixture.