Kerr red card mars NCEL clash

Referee Paul Tomes sends Worsbrough striker Brad Kerr off while Selby’s Nathan Kamara watches on in the 1-1 draw

This Toolstation NCEL Division One encounter will live long in the memory, but not for the right reasons.
It finished 1-1 between Worsbrough Bridge and Selby Town on a wet Saturday. Few will remember the score, but they will certainly recall the key moment.
It is the repercussions from Brad Kerr’s red card on the stroke of half-time that will rumble on for months.
Dismissed for using ‘inappropriate language’ towards Selby’s Nathan Kamara, the game suddenly came alive with an explosion of tempers after a dull first half.
The victim Kamara was also red carded for his behaviour when the half-time whistle blew.
Credit goes to both sides for focusing on the game during the second half which was seen out without any further incidents.
Worsbrough went in front through Joe Jackson seven minutes into the second 45 minutes before Selby’s Richard Medcalf earned his side a point late-on.

Moment of madness: Worsbrough striker Brad Kerr (right) looks on as Nathan Kamara rages at referee Paul Tomes after a comment is made

Kamara attempts to square up to Kerr

Referee Paul Tomes prepares to produce his red card

Worsbrough striker Brad Kerr looks on after being shown the red card

Brad Kerr begins to walk off

Nathan Kamara is restrained by his team-mates as Kerr walks off

Kerr being escorted off by Worsbrough team-mate Andrew Taylor

The draw does not help either team as the pair were locked on 13 points before the game and they remain in the bottom half.
Until the talking point, Selby and Worsbrough both had half chances. Kamara has seen a shot flash wide, while Kerr hit the side-netting.
As half-time approached, a strong, but fair challenge from Selby striker Danny Gray left Josh Evans needing treatment close to the halfway line.
A number of players from both sides circled around the injured player and that’s when Kerr made a remark at Kamara within earshot of referee Paul Tomes.
Kamara reacted with sheer rage and even Tomes’ quick show of the red card did not stop him.
Bridge defender Andrew Taylor escorted young striker Kerr off the pitch, while Kamara was restrained by his team-mates.
The former Garforth Town and Farsley defender then threatened to walk off until being stopped by his manager Dave Ricardo.
Kamara did receive a yellow card for his actions and was lucky not to get sent off when play restarted after the kicking the ball away.
Ricardo decided against substituting him at that moment and may regret not doing so after the scenes as the stormy first half was finally brought to a close.
Kamara sprinted off the field like a gazelle – jumping over the barrier in the manner of an Olympic athlete – and headed straight for the home dressing room to confront Kerr.
Spectators and players got involved as Kamara was prevented from entering Worsbrough’s dressing room and it took a couple of minutes for the situation to calm down.
The Selby player was issued with a straight red card and faces the prospect of being banned for four games after his sending off at Pontefract Collieries earlier in the season.
But the West Riding County FA could use their discretion if they consider the circumstances surrounding his latest dismissal.

Adam Askwith made his debut for Worsbrough Bridge

Actual match action from Worsbrough Bridge 1-1 Selby Town

Referee Paul Tomes held his nerve to send Brad Kerr off

Richard Medcalf equalised for Selby Town late-on

It should be noted that in the game, apart from the red cards, referee Tomes only showed one yellow card.
The young referee was excellent throughout and held his nerve at the right moments to ensure that the game did not spiral out of control.
Worsbrough drew first blood with an excellent finish from Jackson to go in front.
Selby upped their game late-on and a through ball sent Medcalf away and the striker kept his composure to score as Jared Oxley came rushing out.
A draw was a fair result in a game that everyone involved will wish to forget.

Worsbrough Bridge manager Dave Mace said: “It (Kerr’s red card) spoiled the game.
“I thought the players and how they reacted in the second half was great because it was a good footballing game.
“The referee has handled it how he is supposed to handle it by the book. All in all it was a fair result.
“But everyone is on a downer, us and them. With the incident, it took everyone off the game.”

Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo said: “For me the referee could have pulled back a phase before the incident itself.
“Their centre-half was pulling our striker and for me it was a foul. There has then been a couple of tackles which were fair from both sides which resulted in one of their players taking a knock.
“For some reason and I still don’t know why, their number nine took exception to one of our players, Kamara, and he said something he shouldn’t have done.
“I wasn’t on the pitch so I’m not going to say what it was or what it wasn’t, but I think everyone involved knows he shouldn’t have said it.
“It has taken the gloss off the game which had plenty of endeavour, but not much quality.
“It was two hard-working teams that put their all into it and a draw was a fair result.”

Worsbrough Bridge: Oxley, Lycett, Evans, Lawrence (Hoyland 74), Laight (captain), Taylor, Broadbent, Jackson, Kerr, Askwith, Cawley. Subs unused: Warren, Lane, Middleton, Couton.
Selby Town: Thane, Horsman, Binns (Wolski 74), Forrester, Dickman, Mortimer (captain), Jackson, Raistmas (O’Connor 58), Gray, Medcalf, Kamara. Sub unused: Evans.
Referee: Paul Tomes
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: TBC

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