Assistant manager Jonny Bruce said the ridiculous decision to send off star Selby Town right back Josh Rogerson in the 11-2 thrashing of East Hull is a “huge blow” as he will be suspended for the crunch clash at promotion rivals Campion next week.
Rogerson, arguably Selby’s player of the year, saw red for ‘denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity’ when new Toolstation NCEL Division One leaders Selby were leading 5-0 after just 25 minutes.
It meant the ‘walk in the park’ victory was marred by the referee’s performance.
The red card is latest of a series of controversial decisions to go against Selby this season.
Bruce told Non League Yorkshire: “I don’t want to say too much and these are not my words, these are the assessor’s words: ’it definitely was not a penalty and definitely not a red card’.
“It was disappointing. It is a huge blow because it is a big game next week and our full-backs have been massive for us this season. They are pivotal to how we play. When they play well, we play well so it is a blow to lose Josh.”
“It was just a collision, it wasn’t even a foul. It wouldn’t be given anywhere else on the pitch so why he has given it, I don’t really know?
“I don’t want to say the referee felt sorry for East Hull because it belittles East Hull, but there was definitely something in the back of his mind. Maybe he felt the penalty he had given us was a bit soft and needed to even it out? I’m not sure, only he can answer that?
“We should have had another penalty when he blew for half-time, but I think he has felt sorry for them and blown for half-time.”
Selby missed that many chances that the NCEL record win (Tadcaster Albion’s 1997 thrashing of Bildworth) could have been broken – not that it prayed on Bruce’s mind.
“It could have been a bigger score-line,” he said.
“Going into the game we had the best goal-difference in the league and we have increased that by nine goals.
“But we’ve gone top going into some big games so we have momentum which is a massive thing in this league. It carries you.
“It has been a great day. I don’t want to over-egg the pudding, but we got 350 people here again which is phenomenal. We’ve gone top and scored 11 goals so I’d like to think they’ll come back.
“The response to the ‘Bring a Tin’ appeal was also amazing and the amount collected is a fantastic contribution to a great local cause.”