Herne Bay are set to pay a heavy price for the double-dismissal of Sam Hasler and Dan Parkinson after both were sent-off in the 3-0 Ryman League, Division 1 South defeat at Worthing on Saturday.

Hasler was dismissed for what referee Matthew Goldsmith deemed a two-footed challenge in the first half at Woodside Road, while Parkinson followed soon after, also shown a straight red for foul and abusive language.

Hasler begins a five-match ban on Saturday week for his latest red card, while Parkinson has been handed a two-match suspension which starts the same day.

Mark Lovell, sent-off against Tooting the week before, is banned for three games, beginning with this weekend’s visit of Corinthian Casuals to Winch’s Field.

Assistant manager Gavin Theze said: “Sam won the ball in the challenge, which was made with one foot not two and wasn’t out of control. It was totally the wrong decision in my view.

He added: “(Manager) Sam (Denly) is quite tough on players and language towards officials – what Dan said wasn’t horrendous.

“I spoke to the referee, who said anywhere else on the pitch he wouldn’t have acted but said he thought children standing nearby heard it.

“It was going to be tough with 11, so playing with nine for 70 minutes wasn’t good.
“It was damage limitation. We had to take a striker off and put a defensive midfield player on to try and get something.”

To make things worse, Kane Phillip looks set for a scan on a damaged shin, while Gary Sayer suffered an eye injury.

Bay stay fourth despite the defeat, Denly’s side failing to score for the third league game running.

Faversham’s win in Guernsey on Sunday means only goal difference keeps Bay ahead of their Salters Lane rivals, while Ramsgate’s 3-2 victory at Chipstead on Tuesday leaves the Thanet side only two points behind.

Casuals are eighth, failing to make up ground following their 1-0 home defeat by Surrey namesakes Walton. Theze added: “It’s a massive game for us. We have got to keep picking up points, ahead of what is a tough March. We have done it all season and have got to keep going.”