Way slams ref after Binns sent off in City’s loss at Maidstone

Bath City boss Darren Way hit out at the referee after young goalkeeper Charlie Binns was sent off during the Enterprise National League South match at Maidstone United on Saturday 6th December.

Bath City keeper Charlie Binns is shown the red card at Maidstone United on Saturday 6th December | Photo © Simon Howe

Binns was adjudged to have fouled Deon Moore in the box in the 54th minute and was shown the red card due to the ref deeming the United man to have had a goalscoring opportunity. Maidstone converted the resulting penalty to open the scoring and City were on the way to their ninth defeat of the league season.

Way said after the 2-0 loss: “It was a big key decision [whether Binns should be dismissed] that someone had to make, which was the referee.

“That’s another goalkeeper sent off now, and when you look at all the games that we’ve played under review, we’ve probably had 80% that have been wrong previously.

“Looking at the goal, the penalty that was given, from a camera angle it doesn’t look red and definitely not a penalty.

“I’ve got to be careful what I say. I feel sorry for Charlie, 20 years of age, and ultimately the game’s dictated at this level by another referee’s call.

Harvey Wiles-Richards, the Romans’ replacement goalie, is beaten by the penalty from Ant Papadopoulous that resulted from the incident for which Charlie Binns was sent off | Photo © Simon Howe

“I’m frustrated because it just seems to happen too often because I can’t [fault] the effort and commitment from the players.

“I felt we had the better chances in the first half but when you come to a place like Maidstone it’s very physical. There were far too many duels that I didn’t think they [the referee and his assistants] officiated well enough which causes more of a problem in the arena, then eventually a big decision goes against you.

“How he [the referee] can guarantee that was a penalty from his angle is beyond me. But we have to take it on the chin, hopefully they hold themselves accountable when they review it, and we have to make sure we go again.

“The players are giving everything. This is probably the first game where I feel we needed a little bit more luck.

“Being in the dressing room after, obviously you identify the mistake that leads to the penalty which we’re disappointed with, but other than that the referee’s still got to make that call and unfortunately it’s another referee’s decision that’s gone against us.

“The individual I feel sorry for – because we’ll take it, we’re big enough and strong enough to be able to move on quickly – is Charlie, he was making his away debut today, his family was here, and the next thing he ends up in the stand for no fault of his own.

Brad Ash makes a run for Bath City during the 2-0 setback at Maidstone United | Photo © Simon Howe

“He’s made contact with the ball first, yes he spilt it, but if anyone showed any aggression or contact it would’ve been their player first.”

Binns made two good saves early on to thwart Moore and John Gilbert but the first half was pretty even. Bath’s best openings before the break saw Owen Windsor have a shot deflected wide and then send another effort wide, and Maidstone’s Jephte Tanga headed into the side netting.

But the match turned nine minutes into the second half, with Binns banished and replacement keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards beaten by Ant Papadopoulous’ spot kick.

The Romans caused the Kent side few problems after this – and Maidstone almost extended their lead in the 78th minute, a Moore shot hitting a post.

However, United sealed victory with an injury-time goal from Riley Court, who was set up by Papadopoulous.

Nineteen-year-old defender Jaiden Putman, signed by Bath on loan from Queens Park Rangers last week, came off the bench in the 66th minute at Maidstone.

Bath: Charlie Binns, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson (Manny Yeboah, 83), Jack Batten (Jaiden Putman, 66), Kieran Parselle, Brad Ash, Jordan Tillson (Zion Thompson, 90), Mitch Beardmore (Harvey Wiles-Richards, 54), Luke Russe (Jordan Alves, 77), Matt Bowman, Owen Windsor. Unused sub: Owen Pritchard.

The Romans will return to Isuzu FA Trophy action on Saturday 13th December, when they visit fellow National League South side Dorking Wanderers in the third round (3pm).

City reached this stage by overcoming Pitching In Southern League Premier South outfit Bracknell Town on penalties last month.

Next weekend’s clash in Surrey will bring together Bath and Dorking for the first time since their dramatic league encounter at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 30th August, when Way’s side had two goalkeepers – Wiles-Richards and Martin Horsell – dismissed in a 2-1 defeat.

Tickets for the game at Meadowbank Stadium are available at  https://dwfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/dwbc

City will be back in Twerton on Saturday 20th December, when Salisbury provide the opposition in a league match (3pm).

Discounted tickets are available at https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=16169&isFromDashboard=True.

Bath City Women suffered a second successive weather-related postponement when their Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s League Division One North game against Cirencester Town Ladies at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Sunday 7th December was postponed.

The Romans will conclude their pre-Christmas programme by facing Gloucester City Reserves in a league match on the artificial surface at The KMM Energy Stadium on Sunday 14th December (2pm).

Bath City Women Development’s scheduled home game with Nailsea United Women on Sunday 7th December at Peasedown St John in Somerset County Women’s League Division One also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.

The Devs are now without a match until they make the long trip to West Dorset to face Bridport Women in the league on Sunday 4th January (2pm).