Sam Denly admits Hythe Town’s poor disciplinary record is starting to earn them a reputation with referees.

The Cannons have picked up 10 red cards this season – more than any other club in Bostik South.

Chris Kinnear was dismissed in the draw with Horsham on Saturday, a week after Gills loanee Henry Arnold saw red at Hastings.

Denly said: “I’ve got no issue at all with the last couple of red cards. Henry was unlucky and Chris is as honest as they come.

“It was the first red card of his career and he was gutted afterwards.

“But 10 red cards in a season is way too many, we know that and it’s something we need to address because all of a sudden, you find your reputation precedes you and you’re getting soft red cards because refs are hearing about your record.

“It does go against you, so we need to address that and make sure it’s something we improve for the remainder of the season and then next year. Make sure we get rid of that.”

Kinnear was sent off for a challenge on Horsham’s Scott Kirkwood midway through the second half on Saturday.

“Like everyone in the ground, I thought it was harsh,” said Denly.

“We were just expecting the referee to have a chat with him.

“I’m told he has caught him high but he’s won the ball and for me, it’s never a red card.

“We might have a look at (an appeal) but you always struggle to get away with these when the ref’s made the decision.”

Hythe are six points outside the play-off positions having played one game more than their rivals, so do Denly and his players believe they can make up the ground?

He said: “Definitely. That was evident on Saturday. The boys were sitting in the bar, saying ‘we should be buzzing here, four points off the play-offs’ because we did more than enough to
win.

“They certainly believe and we’ve got enough points to play for, so if we win the majority of those, we can get ourselves in there.”

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.