BURNHAM Ramblers player/manager Bertie Brayley apologised to his players after receiving a red card against Ware.

The Ramblers fell to a 5-1 Ryman League division one north defeat at Leslie Field on Saturday.

The home side had pulled it back to 1-1 after going behind and looked to be in a good position until Brayley was sent off on 40 minutes for kicking out at an opponent.

Brayley said: “I think the card was justified.

“I let the team and the club down.

“We have been working hard on discipline and the red mist came down.

“I thought that the referee, however, handled the game badly. He was letting the Ware players get away with everything.

“A number of players were elbowed.

“I was elbowed in the jaw and got up and pushed the player – then had my feet swiped away from underneath me off the ball.

“I was on the floor and swiped out at their player.

“He was given a yellow and I was given a straight red for the same thing.

“We went down to a sloppy goal from a set-piece.

“We then got back in the game and looked to be in control until my bad moment.

“I was frustrated and let my feelings get the better of me, but you’re only human and there is only so much you can take.

“I went into the changing room and apologised to the players. There have been occasions this season when other people have been sent off and it wasn’t good enough from me.

“I have to lead by example – I have only been sent off twice in my career.

“It was a shame because I thought we were playing well.”

Burnham lost out 3-1 to visiting Brightlingsea Regent in the first round of the Robert Dyas League Cup on Tuesday night.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s league match against Thurrock, Wilson was still in confident mood.

He said: “It will be a big game against Thurrock, a hard game, and the pitch is brilliant at Ship Lane.

“We are down where we are but our performances haven’t been reflected in the scorelines.

“There are still more than 90 points to play for and I am sure when we get a win, or draw, we can kick on from there.”