Yeovil Town goalkeeper Joe Day was sporting a protective head guard after being bitten by a spider.
The on loan Newport County player sported the Petr Cech-style gear in the 3-2 FA Cup first round win over National League Gateshead on Saturday.
Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel after the game, manager Mark Cooper revealed that he had been scrambling for a goalkeeper on the eve of the Cup tie.
He said: “It’s been a difficult week and on Wednesday and Thursday we did not think Joe was going to play. He got bitten by a spider and he has been in hospital for three or four days on a drip.
“He got a horrendous infection, he had to have it cut open and we were scrambling on Thursday and Friday because we didn’t have a goalkeeper.
“Joe has put his hand up and said he would play with a ‘bullet wound’ to the side of his ear, so full credit to him, he’s been great.”
Following the game on Saturday, BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins revealed in a post on social media network X (formerly known as Twitter) that the 33-year-old was “touch and go” having been in hospital after the incident.
She posted: “Joe Day was sporting the headwear today because he was bitten by a spider. He has been in hospital this week. was touch and go to play. Makes today’s performance even more impressive.”
Rumours that Day now has the ability to climb up the side of skyscrapers has not been denied by anyone at Huish Park (and possibly has not been asked about).
Joe Day was sporting the headwear today because he was bitten by a spider ?
He has been in hospital this week. Was touch & go to play.
Makes today’s performance even more impressive ?? #YTFC
— Sheridan (@SheridanRobins) November 4, 2023
With number two Will Buse out on loan at Bath City, the Glovers had no substitute goalkeeper on the bench on Saturday. Third choice Lewis Williams, who has been out on loan at Tiverton Town, played in the Somerset Men’s Premier Cup exit at Clevedon Town on Wednesday night.
Following the win over Gateshead, goalkeeping coach Phil Osborn tweeted “what a week, what a guy“, presumably relating to Day.
Shout out to my goalie , what a week and what a guy ?#FACup #ytfc
— Phil Osborn (@KeepersSW) November 4, 2023