Norfolk ‘sin-binning” serves as warning

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

Andy Norfolk went from villain to hero in Bridlington’s 2-1 win over North Ferriby

Bridlington Town manager Gary Allanson admits that Andy Norfolk’s ‘sin-binning’ during the 2-1 victory over North Ferriby United serves as a warning to the rest of his team.

Hardline referee Darren Whatling asked Norfolk to leave the pitch for five minutes after taking exception to a comment made. Whatling chose to take action as part of the FA’s clampdown on “intolerable behaviour”.

But while Allanson had no complaints with the decision, he wants officials to “use common sense” when the season begins.

“Referees need to understand the way players act and do things and use common sense over the frustrations that players have,” Allanson told Non League Yorkshire.

“It can’t get to the stage where it is going to get silly where players are getting sent off for every swear word and you end up playing seven versus eight or eight versus eight.

“That is down me and the management team make sure the players fully understand the situation because we don’t want to be playing an FA Cup or Vase game and find ourselves down to ten men.

“The players will be warned in no uncertain terms. (Norfolk’s sin-binning) it was a warning itself.”