Sheridan slams ill discipline of seniors (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sheridan slams ill discipline of seniors

4:32pm Thursday 22nd December 2005 in Football

ILL discipline cost Devizes dear on Saturday as they finished the match with nine men and crashed to an embarrassing defeat at mid-table Hallen.

Manager Nathan Sheridan was angry and disappointed at the way some of his players let him down and he vowed to make wholesale changes before last night's clash with Frome.

He said: "I feel let down by the players who got sent off, because of the manner in which they were dismissed.

"Our older players should be setting a better example to our younger players. I will discard the second half as it is impossible to compete with nine men on the pitch."

Sheridan went into the clubhouse when the team returned to Nursteed Road to apologise to the small band of fans who travel to all the away games.

But, despite this gesture, a number of supporters were left disgruntled with the team's return to poor form after a good run in the FA Vase.

Devizes were one behind within four minutes as Hallen's Andy Cook found himself free in the area and he made no mistake from three yards.

Hallen were playing well and causing real problems to a make-shift Devizes defence, which included debutant Jamie Bayes, and made it 2-0 on 24 minutes through Tony Collet.

Devizes' first dismissal occurred on 33 minutes as a tackle from Gary Campbell caused a fracas and led to his fellow central midfielder Steve Bush striking an opponent. The referee was left with no option but to send-off Bush.

Hope was restored to Devizes on 42 minutes as Ashton Turner scored an absolute beauty as he volleyed from 35 yards into the top corner.

But with less than a minute of the first half remaining the whole match turned for the away side as they conceded their third goal and had their second player dismissed.

Steve Sartin was dismissed as he argued with the referee who showed him two yellow cards in as many seconds for dissent.

This left town manager Sheridan frustrated and he left the dug-out early to prepare his half-time team talk.

But whatever he said was to no avail as Hallen racked up eight, including a hat-trick for Cook.

Sheridan added: "We had players missing today but that is no excuse we had no discipline and that needs changing.

"I will be making seven or nine changes for the Frome game on Tuesday."