Southern Lashenko wants ‘normal treatment’ from referees for Howe
BRISTOL Manor Farm manager Lee Lashenko has thrown his full support behind striker Owen Howe after he was sent off for the third time this season.
Howe was dismissed for two bookings in the goalless draw at Street on Tuesday and the club is now awaiting the reaction from the Gloucestershire FA to see whether the striker will receive more than the standard one-match ban.
“Owen was very unlucky to get sent off for two yellows and he should just miss one game because of that, but if the FA look at his record with two other reds earlier this season and give him a longer ban then that is wrong,” said Lashenko. “They would be making up rules as they go along and that isn’t right.”
Howe’s value to Manor Farm is clear from the 17 goals he has rattled in this season – despite suspensions – with eight in the league, eight in the club’s impressive run in the FA Cup and a further strike in the FA Trophy.
But Lashenko fears the way Howe plays and the reputation he has acquired, unfairly or not, is prejudicing referees against him.
“Owen is an aggressive striker who plays on the edge,” added Lashenko.
“The two yellows he got at Street were because he was defending from the front, closing down defenders and doing his job for the team.
“I’m not asking for special treatment from the referees for Owen, just normal treatment and not for them to find problems that are not there.
“He has my full backing and the full backing of the club as well.”
Howe will be available for the Farm’s match away to Moneyfields tomorrow, but defender John Lock is still out as he serves the final match of his ban.
Another striker in the news this week is Paulton Rovers’ Bristolbased frontman Jack Ball. Ball’s hat-trick in the 5-3 win at Cirencester Town last weekend announced his return to form having missed the opening months of the season with a dislocated elbow and manager John Rendell believes there is much more to come.
“I reckon Jack needs another three or four weeks before he is fully fit to play 90 minutes,” said Rendell.
“But just having his presence up top and making his runs makes such a difference to the team. He loves scoring goals for Paulton and I’m so chuffed for him after that terrible injury he suffered.
“With him and Ryan Gay up front, it gives us options and the lads are playing with a lot more confidence now.”
Victory at home to Highworth this weekend could lift Paulton into the top half of the table for the first time this season.
Yate Town manager Paul Britton will be looking for his strikers to find the net again, away to Slimbridge, after two matches without scoring, which has seen the club lose top spot in the league.
“It is our first little falter since the start of the season and we are finding that teams are setting up differently against us now and making it very difficult for us to break them down,” said Britton.
“We have to work out a way of achieving success against teams who just sit back and defend, so we need to be a bit more creative and take our opportunities when they come.”
Britton is still integrating new signings Nick Humphreys, who made a fine debut in the goalless draw against Larkhall, Mike Bryant and George King into the team and will again be missing Ben Brooks and Mayson Evans.
A morale-boosting win at Manor Farm certainly lifted spirits at Mangotsfield United after their recent troubles and manager Ollie Price would love more of the same against leaders Blackfield & Langley at Cossham Street.
“We showed great character at Manor Farm and, if we can show that same desire, passion and energy, there is no reason why we cannot get a result,” said Price.
Matt Tanner will have a fitness test and Jake Thomas is also doubtful.