Poll: Did King's Lynn Town's Michael Frew deserve to get sent off for this attempted challenge?
Gavin Caney
Published: 2:41 PM March 11, 2015 Updated: 2:41 PM October 10, 2020
Lynn's Michael Frew was sent off at the end of the first half. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt
King's Lynn Town will not appeal the controversial red card that was given to Michael Frew last night.
The Linnets, in the middle of a torrid run of form in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, were deservedly leading 1-0 at home to Matlock Town when Frew was given his marching orders by referee George Sprague for his attempted tackle on Liam Needham.
The decision left home supporters up in arms and even though the club have video footage of the incident, boss Gary Setchell insists there is no point in putting together a case to try and get his player's dismissal recinded.
Lynn's boss, whose troops ended up losing 3-1 after a late collapse, said: 'I can see why he sent Michael off, because he has lunged. But there is no malice or intent. It wasn't two-footed. It was a one-legged lunge to try and block the ball.
'I just thought the ref, which I said to him, was rash. I think he'd pulled the red card out before the lad had even landed. It was more shock than anything for everyone in the ground.
'What's the point of appealing it? It's an open and shut case. He's gone with his leading leg. It's down to the referee's discretion but you'll never get one overturned. There's no point. I'd like to get the penalty (for Matlock's third) overturned but you can't can you?'
Jamie McDonagh's strike and Danny Holland's brace – one of which came from the spot – in the final 15 minutes consigned Lynn to their fourth home defeat in a row. Setchell's side, fifth at the start of November, now sit 15th and just five points above the relegation zone.