Post by amberaleman on Feb 22, 2009 22:29:11 GMT
Sutton's fine 3-1 victory at play-off rivals Tonbridge Angels on Saturday was somewhat overshadowed by an incident towards the end of the first half - when our manager Paul Doswell was red-carded for "lashing out" at the Tonbridge captain Anthony Storey.
As far as we know, this was the first time in Sutton's history that the manager has been sent off.
Now there's a bit of background to all this. Tonbridge drew 3-3 at Sutton back in November, playing a rather direct, physical game. Afterwards Doswell said he thought that style of football had been left behind in the 70s. Tonbridge clearly took umbrage at this and the resentment festered in the intervening months. Their manager's programme notes on Saturday mentioned a "lack of respect". The Tonbridge PA announcer played a succession of hits from the 70s before the match and at half-time.
Things didn't go well for Sutton early on. One of our players limped off after 7 minutes and we picked up three yellow cards before half-time, the second for a challenge in which our man Craig Dundas clearly won the ball. After the third booking, for a clip on Tonbridge defender Leon Legge who went down like the proverbial sack of potatoes, words were exchanged between the two benches. While Legge was receiving treatment a melee involving most of the Tonbridge players developed by the dug-outs. It was at this point that Paul Doswell was apparently provoked and reacted unwisely.
Ironically, things got better for Sutton from that point. A few minutes after the re-start Legge headed a ball back to his keeper - who wasn't there. Whoops! The ball looped gracefully into the net. Sutton hung on to that slender lead until the last 15 minutes when we scored two great goals in the space of three minutes to kill off the contest. Legge found the right net for a consolation goal in the dying minutes - "1-1 for the number 5" chanted the Sutton fans.
A handful of disgruntled Tonbridge fans have since made the most of Mr Doswell's "disgraceful" behaviour, with calls for him to be banned for life etc. I've seen one photo of the incident which suggests that Storey was only nudged or tripped. Still inexcusable, but hardly the worst thing a football manager has ever done. Storey fell down (apparently clutching his face!), but was back on his feet and playing 5 minutes later.
Handily for Sutton, the fans of the other Kent sides in the Ryman Premier don't have much time for the misnamed Angels and have piled in to defend us. ;D
As far as we know, this was the first time in Sutton's history that the manager has been sent off.
Now there's a bit of background to all this. Tonbridge drew 3-3 at Sutton back in November, playing a rather direct, physical game. Afterwards Doswell said he thought that style of football had been left behind in the 70s. Tonbridge clearly took umbrage at this and the resentment festered in the intervening months. Their manager's programme notes on Saturday mentioned a "lack of respect". The Tonbridge PA announcer played a succession of hits from the 70s before the match and at half-time.
Things didn't go well for Sutton early on. One of our players limped off after 7 minutes and we picked up three yellow cards before half-time, the second for a challenge in which our man Craig Dundas clearly won the ball. After the third booking, for a clip on Tonbridge defender Leon Legge who went down like the proverbial sack of potatoes, words were exchanged between the two benches. While Legge was receiving treatment a melee involving most of the Tonbridge players developed by the dug-outs. It was at this point that Paul Doswell was apparently provoked and reacted unwisely.
Ironically, things got better for Sutton from that point. A few minutes after the re-start Legge headed a ball back to his keeper - who wasn't there. Whoops! The ball looped gracefully into the net. Sutton hung on to that slender lead until the last 15 minutes when we scored two great goals in the space of three minutes to kill off the contest. Legge found the right net for a consolation goal in the dying minutes - "1-1 for the number 5" chanted the Sutton fans.
A handful of disgruntled Tonbridge fans have since made the most of Mr Doswell's "disgraceful" behaviour, with calls for him to be banned for life etc. I've seen one photo of the incident which suggests that Storey was only nudged or tripped. Still inexcusable, but hardly the worst thing a football manager has ever done. Storey fell down (apparently clutching his face!), but was back on his feet and playing 5 minutes later.
Handily for Sutton, the fans of the other Kent sides in the Ryman Premier don't have much time for the misnamed Angels and have piled in to defend us. ;D
) should be a pretty good indicator.
