Under the new Football League regulations, Tilson had until midday to lodge a complaint against the manner of the combative midfielder’s red card, and it appears that the Southend boss has done just that. Suspensions for sending off offences now come into place immediately, and should the decision of referee John Robinson of Humberside not be overturned, it will mean three games on the sidelines for the former Aveley talent.
Bentley, who has scored one goal in eleven appearances for the Seasiders this season, was given his marching orders by Robinson after Colchester left-back Stephen Hunt inexplicably went to ground with his studs showing, attempting to bring the rampaging midfielder to ground. In avoiding a season-ending injury similar to Jay Smith’s last season against Cambridge United, the ex-Dagenham & Redbridge stand-in goalkeeper jumped to air, and in landing clipped Hunt’s head before continuing his run.
Robinson saw this as a deliberate action, and immediately flourished the red card with Hunt lying on the floor. Seconds later he was on his feet and running around the pitch once again, causing some animosity and bewilderment amongst the Southend support. However, Tilson revealed to the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, that after studying video evidence, he would be lodging an appeal with the Football League ahead of their disciplinary committee’s meeting on Friday.
Tilson explained, “The Colchester lad has gone in late on Mark and has gone underneath him. Beno has tried to jump out of the way and his left leg has connected with his head but his feet had nowhere else to go”. However the Blues boss was not overly confident that the video evidence would bring about a substantial change of decision: “It’s always tough to overturn a decision on appeal, you never know how it will go because they generally look after the referee”, he said.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com