United Boss Hits Out After Appeal Farce

BEXHILL United manager Len Watkins has hit out at the Sussex County FA's manner of dealing with suspension appeals.

The Polegrove supremo travelled down to Lancing with secretary Martin Hyland and defender Matt Cornelius on Friday night in a bid to overturn the youngster's opening day sending off.

Cornelius was dismissed for allegedly slapping Ifield Edwards striker Nick Flint when Watkins claims he merely caught the ball to take a free kick. Watkins was adamant his defender was innocent and although the three Bexhill representatives gave identical accounts the panel ruled in the referee's favour. He said: "I wouldn't question the system but I would question the point of appealing. I would never go down and launch an appeal for the sake of it. I believe right is right and wrong is wrong. The referee was wrong. I don't know what his argument was and why he wasn't big enough to admit he made a mistake. He wouldn't have lost any credibility if he said he made a mistake. Effectively they have called me and Martin liars."

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In view of the fact that the referee's account was upheld it was somewhat baffling that Cornelius' ban was reduced from 35 days to 21.

United entertain Bosham tomorrow (Saturday), although Watkins ruled out any prospect of repeating the 13-0 annihilation they administered last season. Dickie Anderson is still on holiday but Alex Page (hip) and Aaron Hawkins (bruising) should be fit.

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