Torquay United holding out hope for Louis Dennis red card appeal

Torquay United are waiting for the outcome of an appeal against the sending-off of star striker Louis Dennis against Maidstone United last Saturday.

The Gulls ended up with red cards for both their leading scorers, Dennis and Jordan Young, in the closing stages of a 1-1 draw which also saw the Stones’ David Sesay dismissed.

Young was booked twice, which will earn him a one-match suspension, for this Saturday’s trip to Enfield Town.

But Brighton referee Will Briers gave a straight red card to Dennis after he appeared to throw Maidstone midfielder John Gilbert to the ground.

If the incident is deemed ‘violent conduct’, Dennis (13gls) will serve a three-match ban, a severe blow at this stage of the season.

But United officials believe that Dennis, who was trying to head towards the goalmouth ready for a home throw-in, reacted to interference from Gilbert.

After reviewing video evidence and consulting local referees for their opinion, the Gulls believe there are grounds to show that Dennis’ action wasn’t violent.

And they don’t think that an appeal would be considered ‘frivolous’, which might incur a heavier punishment if it failed.

The double dismissal came only a day after United loaned young striker Sonny Fish out to Isthmian League Folkestone Invicta for a month, although they still have cover up front with fit-again centre-forward Cody Cooke and 19-year-old Exeter City loanee Kieran Wilson.

After Enfield away, Paul Wotton’s Gulls take on Farnborough at Plainmoor next Tuesday (Jan 27).

But they were also waiting for the outcome of last night’s twice-postponed FA Trophy tie between Hornchurch and AFC Telford before knowing whether their next match, away to Hornchurch, will go ahead on January 31.

That’s the date of the Trophy Fifth Round, when the winners of Hornchurch-v-Telford are due to host Yeovil Town.

Although Torquay were frustrated by the Maidstone draw – the visitors took the lead against the run of play before Dylan Morgan equalised – it was an entertaining match between two strong sides.

Leaders Worthing (Horsham 1-1) and Weston-super-Mare (Chelmsford 0-1) also dropped points, so United (4th) are still three points behind Worthing with 20 games to go.

This Saturday’s NL South programme sees Worthing travel to Bath, Weston (3rd) against Hornchurch (2nd) and Dorking (5th) v Chippenham.