YATE TOWN manager Paul Britton is facing the loss of two key players after they were sent-off during last Saturday’s 3-1 Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West defeat at Slimbridge.

Striker Josh Morgan-Williams received a red card for kicking Slimbridge’s Sam Turl ten minutes before half-time, while Kye Mountfield was sent straight off for foul and abusive language to referee John Roskelly, although Mountfield later tweeted he had merely told the official he had ‘ruined the game’.

They are likely to receive bans ahead of Saturday’s visit to the Jelf Stadium of Barnstaple Town as the Bluebells look to get back to winning ways after four straight defeats in all competitions.

And the Yate manager, who has strengthened his side with four new signings in the last week, said the dismissals left him feeling frustrated.

Britton was disappointed at the dismissals on Saturday but praised the way his nine-men held up against Slimbridge.

He said: “I thought we were on top of the game at the start but the sending off (Morgan-Williams) has absolutely killed us.

“The second sending off is probably just as bad and it has affected the game massively. We were 1-0 down already but the nine players were magnificent. I could not fault those nine at all.

“They got themselves back into the game. It was always going to be tough and it was always going to be something like a penalty that got them back into the game.”

Indeed, it was a penalty on the hour that put Slimbridge back in front before another goal moments later sealed the deal as Yate struggled to find any attacks from their depleted numbers.

“Until they get the penalty, you are thinking we have got a chance with nine players but I am so disappointed.”

Britton admitted the first dismissal was for Morgan-Williams lashing out with his boot. “He’s kicked him and the crowd are baying for him to be sent off. I don’t think the referee had any other option. He had to go.

“And to lose one for whatever he did say, that was a time for a little bit of reflection and at least keep ten players on the pitch.”

Britton confirmed that the club will not be appealing to the authorities about the red cards, which means that Yate will accept the bans that will come.

There is some good news, though. The manager said: “We have made some new signings and two played on Saturday.

“We have made four signings and we are still looking so it needs a little bit of a shake-up because I can’t continue to accept that when people are sent off for ridiculous things.

“I have strengthened in the midfield area after losing Mitch (Tippins) and I am still actively talking to people to get people in.

“Then you work all week to get players in and arrange things, sort training out and then you lose two players for ridiculous things. You cannot legislate for that. It is self-inflicted.”