Boss blasts woeful ref

BRIAN Dennis flies off to Jamaica on Saturday, but it's doubtful whether the Caribbean sunshine can calm the Hailsham boss after last Saturday's red-card shocker in the FA Vase.

Brian, normally a calm and reserved individual, let fly at the officials after Town's 2-1 defeat by Brockenhurst in extra time.

Both Simon Stevens and Matt Smith saw red as an entertaining cup tie turned ugly as the man in black took centre stage.

'It was a disgraceful performance from the officials,' said Brian.

'The referee was from the Kent League and unfortunately he was out of his depth. He couldn't handle such an important match.

'The referee spoiled a good game, and it's certainly not just sour grapes on our part - Peter Bentley is an FA councillor and he's advised us to put a report in against the two sendings off.

'For the first one he awarded a free kick, sent Matt Smith off for a second bookable offence, and then changed his mind and gave a penalty! He kept changing decisions all the time.

'Simon Stevens went in for a 50-50, a good block tackle, and their player has stood up and pushed Matt in the face which should be an instant red card. But then their bloke lay on the ground while other players got involved and Simon was sent off while the other lad only got a yellow. I'm normally calm and don't lose it but I let my feelings known in no uncertain terms after the game.

'The referee was escorted from the pitch by about seven committeemen, but has still reported us for not giving him adequate protection as he left the pitch!

'He seemed to have it in for us. But even after having the two sent off, and Ross Southwood limping around having used all our subs, we could still have won the game in extra time. We were the only team who looked like doing so.

'A draw and a replay would have been a fair result, and if the refeee hadn't wanted to be the main man then that's what would have happened. It was a brilliant game - a really exciting cup tie, but the ref spoiled it as best he could.'

On a more positive note, Hailsham keeper Russell Tanner has been training all week with Brighton & Hove Albion after Brian recommended him to the Seagulls.

'He's got everything. I posted a letter to the Albion and they sent Dean White to have a look at him. He liked what he saw and they've taken him up there,' added Brian.

'He's enjoying it. It's hard work but rewarding for him.'

Russell also made his Lewes debut on Tuesday night in a 2-0 victory over Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman League Division One South.

Tanner has signed dual forms but Hailsham retain first option on the promising youngster.

Russell almost made a dream start, launching a huge clearance up field in the third minute of the match which evaded the keeper and hit the crossbar! Luckily Germain Amanuel was on hand to slot home the rebound. qSee Lewes edition or www.lewestoday.co.uk for match report.