Hawks’ seasonal red card tally now up to seven after boss Doswell and Widdrington are dismissed in home loss to nine-man Ebbsfleet

Theo Widdrington became the 10th different Hawks player dismissed in the space of a year on an afternoon where FIVE red cards were issued in less than 20 minutes.
Hawks manager Paul Doswell, right, goes face to face with Ebbsfleet's Dennis Kutrieb prior to their red cards. Photo by Dave HainesHawks manager Paul Doswell, right, goes face to face with Ebbsfleet's Dennis Kutrieb prior to their red cards. Photo by Dave Haines
Hawks manager Paul Doswell, right, goes face to face with Ebbsfleet's Dennis Kutrieb prior to their red cards. Photo by Dave Haines

The former Pompey midfielder was handed a rare start against Ebbsfleet at the weekend as boss Paul Doswell rang the changes following the midweek defeat at Hemel Hempstead.

He was recalled to a new-look midfield with Bedsente Gomis dropped to the bench following the 2-0 loss at Hemel.

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But Widdrington, 21, lasted only an hour before he was shown a straight red by ref Phil Staynings for a late challenge on Chris Solly, who was sent off for retaliation.

Theo Widdrington pictured during his days at Pompey. Pic: Joe Pepler.Theo Widdrington pictured during his days at Pompey. Pic: Joe Pepler.
Theo Widdrington pictured during his days at Pompey. Pic: Joe Pepler.

Fleet captain Lee Martin was dismissed shortly after for a second bookable offence.

Staynings had begun his flurry of reds just before half-time when Doswell and Fleet counterpart Dennis Kutrieb were both sent off following a touchline spat.

Both men traded insults with Doswell venturing into the Fleet technical area to go face to face with his opposite number.

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Other members of both backroom staffs got involved - Fleet’s head of performance Lee Taylor was particularly keen to confront Doswell - before Staynings jogged across the pitch to restore order.

Following a conversation with the linesman on the grandstand side, both managers were dismissed.

The length of any touchline ban will depend on what Staynings puts in his report.

Widdrington, though, will definitely be suspended for three matches as his offence was a straight red.

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How long it will take him to serve the ban, though, is a moot point given the National League South season could be curtailed as early as this week.

It seems the majority of sixth tier clubs want 2020/21 to be null and voided, meaning Widdrington could finish - or even start - his suspension next August.

Hawks’ disciplinary record in the last year is undoubtedly poor.

Since last February, 10 players have now been sent off in league and cup action.

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1) Bedsente Gomis, on his home debut, was dismissed for two bookable offences in a 3-2 home win over Weymouth last February. All the goals had been scored by the time the midfielder was red-carded on the hour mark.

2) A few days later, Simon Walton was sent off in the first half of a 0-0 draw with Dulwich Hamlet.

3) Josh Taylor was dismissed for retaliation in the play-off semi-final with Dartford last July. Hawks were leading at the time but ended up losing 2-1.

4) Roarie Deacon was sent off in a pre-season friendly loss at Wealdstone.

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5) Billy Clifford was awarded the first of six red cards in 2020/21 for two bookable offences in October’s South loss at Dartford.

6) Godfrey Poku was sent off for two bookable offences - the first in the second minute - of the FA Cup win against two tiers lower Cray Valley.

7) Anthony Straker saw red for two bookable offences in the FA Cup loss at Marine in late November. Hawks also had other players cautioned that day.

8) George McLennan was red-carded for a foul in the 0-0 home draw with Slough in early December.

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9) Centre half Nico Jones was sent off for two bookable offences on his debut in this month’s FA Trophy loss to Notts County on penalties.

10) Widdrington can have few complaints about being shown a straight red for a reckless challenge against Ebbsfleet.

Doswell told The News back in December that he recognised there was a major problem with picking up red cards.

'It’s something we are looking at (discipline),' he remarked.

'There are too many times we’re playing - and it happened last season - with 10 men is not a good recipe for anything.’

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