Mings defends Pratt after fastest ever red card (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Mings defends Pratt after fastest ever red card

10:17am Monday 29th December 2008 in News

Chippenham Town manager Adie Mings slammed the decision to hand striker David Pratt the quickest red card in football history on Saturday.

Pratt was sent off after just three seconds in the Bluebirds’ 2-1 defeat to Bashley Town at the New Forest in the Southern League Premier Division.

The former Swindon Supermarine forward lunged in to charge down a home forward from the opening kick off and was given a straight red card by referee Justin Amey.

But Mings was left stunned by the decision.

He said: “I still feel the decision to red card David Pratt in the opening seconds was a horrendous one.

“I always hold my hands up if there’s been a bad tackle and last week I admitted it was a penalty against Brackley but this wasn’t malicious or two-footed but he’s been sent straight off.

“If anything it’s a booking but he’s kicked the bottom of Dave’s studs so it probably looks worse than it was.

“The physio didn’t even come to give him treatment though so it really is mind-blowing.”

Despite the setback Chippenham took the lead within the opening ten minutes through Scott Lye and bossed the entire first half but could only take a one goal lead into the interval.

However the man advantage began to take its toll after the break and Bashley caught the Bluebirds cold on two occasions to take the lead.

Manager Adie Mings threw on Jake Gardner and Sean Seavill to try and get onto level terms but the home side held firm in freezing conditions to earn an upset victory and see Chippenham’s 2008 end with a whimper.

Mings was proud of his players’ effort after the red card.

He said: “We rallied well and the boys were excellent first half including a well-worked goal and two or three other good chances.

“Fatigue was always going to be an issue but I just think we started the second half poorly when we conceded two goals.

“With a man disadvantage it was difficult.”