FOOTBALL: Touchline ban angers Colbran

Colbran was sent from the dugout as Rebels crashed out of the FA Trophy in a 1-0 home defeat to Corinthian Casuals at the start of October.

Worthing will now face Saturday's Ryman League Division 1 South return trip to Walton Casuals and the following week's match at Ashford Town without his presence on the sidelines.

Colbran, however, does not believe this will have much of an impact on the game, due to the experience of the rest of his coaching team.

He said: "I don't think it'll make much difference. I'll be there speaking to them before the game and I have some great coaches who know their stuff.

"Simon (McMenemy) is very capable and does an excellent job, Locky (John Lock) is there and all the rest of the coaches.

"But I can't believe it has taken so long to come through. It's been ages and I really can't understand the fine.

"To be honest, it wasn't even that bad. I shouted something at the sidelines and, yes, I did swear, but managers are saying much worse, week-in, week-out.

"I said one thing and the referee ran over, asked if I was the manager and then sent me off. I couldn't believe it, he wouldn't even talk to me first.

"I think the 100 fine is out of order and I can't understand why it is so much. Players don't get fined that much for red cards, so why should it be different for me."

Despite being without Colbran, Rebels will be looking to bounce back from a difficult Christmas period to get their promotion push back on track and gain some revenge over Casuals, who beat Worthing 1-0 in the second game of the season.

December was a month to forget, with Karl Akehurst breaking an ankle and two 3-1 defeats, first at promotion rivals Croydon Athletic, then at local rivals Burgess Hill, with a home match against Leatherhead postponed in between, and the return match with Hillians was postponed owing to a frozen pitch on Saturday.

On the Casuals clash this Saturday, Colbran said: "They're hard working, strong and a big side and we'll have to match that.

At the start of the season, a few of the players were still learning, along with myself. We were getting to know the league. Now we know what they're about but I still expect it to be tough, as every match in this league is."

Saturday's home match against Burgess Hill was called off by the match referee at 1.15pm after initially being given the go-ahead, sparking confusion among both home and travelling fans.

The game passed a morning inspection by a local referee before the match ref turned up at 1pm and swiftly ruled the match out.

Colbran was obviously left disappointed but not surprised at the decision, and said: "The pitch wasn't playable. It was as simple as that.

"A referee turned up and said in the morning that if it was flat, it would be playable. So, the roller was put over it but the match referee turned up and said 'no'.

"The first guy really should have said it was unplayable. It would've saved a lot of trouble.

"The match referee, who I know, is all right and very straight. If there was a chance to play it, he would have done.

"We did get out on it and have a training game but there was no tackling and you could tell it wasn't soft enough. It was just about getting the ball down and blowing out the cobwebs.

"Obviously, we are frustrated about not playing but it's not affecting morale or demoralising us. We are staying focused and we know what we need to do when it comes to getting out there again."

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing sport.

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]