Thankyou referee

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Well, just got back from tonights game, having seen what must have been one of the Worst Red Card decisions I've ever seen.

 

20 minutes into the game, a couple of slightly iffy challenges went in from Dover players (nothing too serious though) and as the ball landed at the feet of a Dover player on the left side of midfield, Matt Lee slid in and appeared to be slightly late, nothing more.

 

It was the first real challenge of the game but the Dover player goot straight up & trotted off. The ref called Matt over and waving other players away, duly produced the red card, much to the absolute astonishment of what appeared most of the crowd, and indeed the players.

 

The challenge probably warranted a yellow card, but even then, as it was the first iffy challenge in the game, many refs would possibly only have had a strong word with him.

 

The game was, I believe, videoed, and I would hope that Andy will take a look at that and , assuming it doesnt justify the refs decision, ensure an appeal is lodged promptly with the FA.

 

The Fleet were always up against it thereafter, on a heavy pitch, where the ball had to be kicked hard to roll more than a few yards.

 

We were the better team in the first half and Dover barely mustered an effort on goal during this period.

 

In the second half, Dover took more control, but even then, Fleet's defence generally performed well, and Dover barely got a sniff of goal.

 

Only when the heavy pitch took its toll on the Fleet players legs in the last quarter of the game, did Dover get their goal, which , no offence intended, really came from our lack of a true left back. Jacko does the job well on the whole, but is always liable to get beaten occasionally there, and from Carruthers good cross, Spiller headed home at the near post.

 

Fleet never really looked likely to get back into it after that, and only mustered a couple of half hearted headed efforts wide of the Dover goal.

 

Dover were very disappointing, and I cant see them beating Scarborough (?) in the next round.

 

Fleet battled hard, but in the end the red card and the pitch won the day for Dover. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Bate'o]

Unfortunaly I could not make it to Dover last night, but managed to tune in to it on Radio Kent. The commentators seemed somewhat baffled by Lees sending off, and obviously thought the referee was not going to take any further action as they went around the grounds to listen to other scores.

I think the co-commentator couldn't believe the poor standard of all the officials and commented "my mum could do a better job".

 

Sadly, it seems another cup run has come to an end down to poor refereeing. Lets just hope there is some video evidence of last night that can back up Matt Lee because we are stuggling at the back enough at the moment.

[Rotten Johnny Shawcraw]

I was some way from the incident behind the goal we were attacking, the ref was obviously a lot nearer, it did look a reckless challenge but like everyone I expected only a yellow card to be shown. If the game was videoed it would be interesting to see a close up before making a judgement, the fact that it was early in the game is irrelavant a red card offence is the same in the first or last minute. A dissappointing game I thought we would hold out for a draw and I agree I can't see Dover getting past Scarborough.

[Roy gnfc]

A poor game played by two poor sides,with very little football played. Both sides would have struggled against a Sunday league side.Dover will get slaughtered at Scarborough if they play like that,and relegation beckons for us! Why we played the majority of the game at the lower end of the pitch where the conditions were worse beats me,(I know the wind was blowing that way)but goal kicks etc. never allowed for that,and Jamie Turners kicking hasn't improved since last year

[Alan W (GNFC)]

The other question was whether Matt said anything, although I didnt get the impression that was the reason for the red card.

 

And unless it was serious foul language, presumably the ref would have shown yellow for the foul and a second yellow for saying something, before showing the red one ??

[Guest]

I hope you have all now had a chance to see the tackle on TV (it will be posted later on a link through the Dover site). I don't think Matt needed to say anything to earn a further card - the two footed lunge straight over the ball was quite sufficient.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Very few people in Gravesend receive Meridian, and although I live in Rochester, I am never home before 7pm, so didnt get a chance to see the film.

 

Based on what you say, however, the red card was justified. The only thing I would say was that one of the Dover players was lucky immediately before that, when as the ball travelled across the pitch he threw himself at a Fleet player, but failed to make any contact - had he done so, I think it would have been Dover who were down to 10 men.

[Mepis]

Missed the game last night, caught the first 15 minutes on Radio Kent as i drove to Chatham so i missed the sending off, listening to RK tonight on the way home from work in his interview Andy said it was a reckless tackle but from what people are saying it may be worth a look at the video unless Matt said something then we are wasting our time. We must however stop these red cards it could cost us our conference place.

[Stu M]

Why don't we just start every game with 10 men so's we can get used to it, and then if we're well-behaved, the ref can allow us to bring on our 11th man at half-time?

 

 

[Rotten Johnny Shawcraw]

I saw the incident on Meridian and again on the Dover website and in all honesty I don't think we can have any complaints about the red card.

[DiamondFleetGeza]

yeh play the reserves matches wiv jus 10 men and then we will be prepared for the league games when we go down to 10 men

[Alan W (GNFC)]

You can view the video highlights at Dover Video Website

 

Theres also a pyramid portal match report available on the game - I will add a link later.

[Bate'o]

Having no seen the video of Matt Lee's sending off, it does look like a bad challenge.

It was one of those tackles where, 50% of refs would have booked him, the other 50% would send him off.

They way our lucks going, I'm not suprised that the referee sent him off

[Richard C]

Agreed. from the way people were describing it i thought that he should have stayed, but now having seen it its obvious he was more likely to receive red. I cant believe the dover player who riggles and stays down!! In a trophy game and when we dont need suspensions, the player didnt help in any way.

[The Truth]

Quote:

You can view the video highlights at Dover Video Website

Hmm nice....when do we get a Fleet video site then?

[Richard C]

When somebody offers to Video every game! so we can count you in as that person then???

[David Holden]

Quote:

When somebody offers to Video every game! so we can count you in as that person then???

And someone with the time and the equipment to maintain it!

[Richard C]

And the pc experience, knowledge. And a good enough car (loving spouse!!!) to travel around the country every weekend without fail. And a burning desire to not cheer when we score (losing the camera over anyone in front of you!!)

[DiamondFleetGeza]

It doesn't look like we ar going to get a video site then.... Cant we set up our own TV station, like MUTV etc. Then we could see all the away games and discuss them properly.

[FleetFanatic]

As long as you don't present it - God help us if you talk the way you type! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

Mind you it begs the question - WHY do you need videos of the away games?

 

WHY AREN'T YOU THERE?????

 

I admit to missing a few but make an effort.