AN UMPIRE'S CLANGER?

He was red-carded after expressing astonishment at the delay in a Herne Bay opponent being penalised for repeatedly tackling him from behind while he brought the ball out of his circle and own half of the field. He had not seen the trailing umpire signal that advantage was being played.

Worthing are adamant that the terms of Clayton's protest did not warrant the harshness of red from umpire Roger Dear. They are seeking an appeal but the player is automatically suspended, even from training.

Worthing defender Jamie Luke and a Herne Bay defender were separately sinbinned. Clayton was sent off at 5-0.

The weekend otherwise ended well for Worthing.

Not only did Herne Bay shock Maidstone 2-1 with a short-corner goal after the final whistle on Saturday just a week after Worthing lost 6-1 at Maidstone.

But Worthing outclassed Horsham on Saturday, going 3-0 up with seven minutes left, then against Herne Bay went two goals better than the 5-0 walkover the Regional League refused to grant them when Herne Bay did not partake in the fixture when it was originally rescheduled after Worthing's EH Trophy trip to Guernsey.

A plus point was the stepping in of 2nd XI player Andy Allan, with four goals. A minus was Worthing scored 10 goals yet none came from a short corner.

WORTHING v Horsham: Godsmark; Edmondson, Godber, Martin; Beales, Duncan,,Massie, Ansell, Clayton; B.Lock, D.Lock. Sub: Allan. Scorers: B.Lock, Duncan, Allan.

WORTHING v Herne Bay: Godsmark; Edmondson, Godber, A.Warner; Clayton, Fuller, Massie, Allan; D.Lock, Duncan. Subs: B.Lock, Luke. Scorers: Duncan 2, B.Lock, Clayton, Allan 3.

Worthing go to Mid-Sussex on Saturday without Mark Minchell, David Beales (both unavailable), David Edmondson (medically resting), David Clayton, and Ramiz Ahmed.