Knight eyes Bees ascent in Alliance (From Redditch Advertiser)

Knight eyes Bees ascent in Alliance

8:00am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in Local Sport

MANAGER Lee Knight believes a run of fixtures will soon see his Studley side move up the Midland Alliance table.

The Bees boss was frustrated that Saturday’s home clash against Heath Hayes was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

That fixture kicked off a week of winnable games as the Warwickshire-based outfit were set to entertain Ellesmere Rangers last night and then travel to Coventry Sphinx on Saturday (3pm ko).

He said: “Saturday was frustrating because it was nip and tuck whether the game was going to be postponed.

“The pitch had passed a test in the morning but the referee had a look and called it off an hour before kick-off.

“There was an eight or 10 yard patch that was not in good condition and I guess the official thought it was too dangerous to play on.

“I am disappointed because we’ve got fixtures against the teams around us in the table and if we could string a few results together then it would have a big impact on our league position.”

The Bees had also been looking to bounce back after losing a hot-tempered clash against league leaders Stratford 4-0 last Wednesday.

Knight was sent off after midfielder Danny Charlton was caught by Mark Faulds’ late challenge.

Charlton was taken to hospital with bruised ribs and a suspected broken arm, and was lucky enough to not have picked up a serious injury. Keeper Sheridan Martinez was also taken to hospital as a precaution, while Scott Turner and Lee Dunkley also sustained injuries.

Knight is awaiting his punishment but admitted he felt his players weren’t getting enough protection.

He said: “I was very frustrated. I know Mark Faulds and he’s not a malicious player but he was late on Danny Charlton.

“I felt the referee did not give my players enough protection.

“We picked up six or seven bookings yet I felt it was my players who were on the end of a lot of things poor challenges.

“It was frustrating, and referees should remember the players have to go to work the next day.”