AFC LUDLOW boss Dave Cooper feels referees in the West Midlands (Regional) League are not giving his young players adequate protection.

Not for the first time this season, skilful midfielder Kieran Dovey was the victim of an horrific challenge in the opening stages of Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Bartestree.

Even some of the Bartestree camp were visibly shocked by an ugly high tackle from Darren Andrews that made a real mess of Dovey’s knee, but what looked a nailed-on red card only elicited a yellow from referee Charlie Wickens.

Andrews was sent off in the second half for a second yellow after another rash, but far less serious, tackle on Dovey and an incensed Cooper admitted: “The first tackle was horrendous and it shook a few people. Kieran’s leg was ripped open and he came off for the best part of ten minutes - it was shocking.

“Kieran got kicked above the ball at Wyrley a couple of weeks ago and there was no red card. Saturday’s was a lot worse and the lad only got a yellow card. To be fair the lad held his hand up and said it wasn’t malicious and he didn’t mean it, but it was a horrible tackle and I think the referee bottled it.”

Luke Hicks was also lucky not to get a red card for grabbing a defender by the throat as tempers flared in the aftermath of the challenge on Dovey, and boss Cooper substituted him at half-time in order to eradicate the danger of the influential defender getting sent off.

Hicks, who hardly missed a header in the first 45 minutes, was not happy but Cooper said he couldn’t risk him getting a suspension ahead of back-to-back away games against Penncroft, who won 6-0 at Bustleholme last weekend, and Trysull on the next two Saturdays.