Hit hard by a red card

Feb 1 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Hit hard by a red card

BLUES winger Kevin Ellison will be hit with a club fine for his sending off against Rochdale on Tuesday.

Boss Bobby Williamson said the 28-year-old would be “dealt with accordingly” for his needless dismissal for violent conduct.

With City trailing 1-0, Ellison saw red in the 30th minute for allegedly head-butting Dale right-back Simon Ramsden in an off-the-ball incident. His dismissal effectively ended any hopes Chester had of getting back into the game and they went on to ship a further three goals in a 4-0 defeat.

Williamson said: “A moment of madness from Kevin Ellison has cost us. He doesn’t think he’s done much wrong, but when you see it again on the video he has made contact with the player and he will be dealt with accordingly. That is disappointing and it’s cost us heavily.”

Left-back Laurence Wilson was sent off for a professional foul late in the game to compound Chester’s misery.

Williamson added: “Rochdale played their game really well against 10 men. They were disciplined and had us running about the place. They could have scored more if the truth be told.”

The Dale defeat capped a desperate week for the Blues, who lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham United on Saturday.

Williamson admitted: “We can’t get a goal for love nor money but we’re not creating much, and that’s the biggest disappointment. We really need our wide guys, the guys who supply the ammunition, to hit a vein of form.

“I do feel we’ve lost a bit in those areas.”