By Andy Mitchell
DEFIANT boss Michael Charles insists Alton will refuse to play their restaged Wessex League Cup tie – because he is taking his lads for a curry.
Charles was furious after the Hampshire club were forced to replay their second-round match with Baffins Milton Rovers after referee David Cotton incorrectly sanctioned a period of extra-time.
The Brewers eventually won the tie 3-2, but have now been told they must replay the game as it contravenes a Wessex League notion that drawn matches must go straight to penalties.
Furious Charles told The NLP: “If we have to fulfil it, we will sign up Sunday league players and take the lads for a curry because we know we have already won.
“We picked up injuries and suspensions that are still affecting us now so we won’t be running the risk for a game we don’t feel should be happening.
“It all started with five minutes to go. My coach wanted to confirm with the assistant referee that it would go to penalties, but he said extra-time.
“We started to ask whether the referee was sure and the Baffins coaching staff questioned it too.
“Everyone was confused. We asked whether he (Cotton) was 100 per cent sure but he told us to go away and that he knew what he was doing.
“As a club, what more can you do? It is so hard to take because we told them.
“There were three players sent off in the match. The suspensions still stand, the fines still stand and the referee’s payment still stands so why doesn’t the result? It is an absolute shambles.”
Wessex League chairman Ian Hoare confirmed the tie would have to be restaged, but politely declined to comment further. The NLP was also unable to contact Cotton.
