Epic performance. This was the red card by the way...
https://x.com/dmaudsley/status/1765139214679597335?s=20
Please don't rush to judgement solely on the basis of that particular clip though, as it only comprises the first instalment of the ongoing incident which resulted in Linney being sent off.
From my seat in the main stand, I happened to catch a good view of the whole altercation.
Following Linney's initial barge of the Dorking defender, I kept my eye focused on the two players, as verbals were being exchanged and you just sensed that a sequel was impending.
Alas, Linney proceeded (both senselessly and naively) to run back towards the Dorking player, raise his right arm and then barge into him across the upper chest with a trifle more force. Inevitably, the Dorking defender cynically capitalised on this impetuous deed by promptly holding his face and collapsing onto the turf.
I doubt that the referee witnessed the incident, so I would suspect that the red card was issued on the advice of his assistant (who was in front of the sponsors lounge at the time). Harsh, to my mind, but Linney needs to learn that such indisciplined behaviour almost cost us dear on the night and will now almost certainly result in him being unnecessarily absent for three matches at a vital stage of the season.
All I will add is that it was a pity that the same linesman wasn't quite so eagle-eyed when it came to spotting a Dorking player's assault on Marriott in the aftermath of our opening goal.
As for the game itself, that second half resembled Rorke's Drift in
Zulu, only with Lewis Baines instead of Michael Caine.
Potentially a pivotal victory, both in terms of the ultimate league position and the team's morale in the wake of five consecutive defeats.