DEFENDER Martin Riley was delighted with his team-mates after the 3-0 win over Altrincham but admits he still can't understand why he was sent off.

Riley was dismissed in the 16th minute for a professional foul, despite the incident looking like an innocent collision with Altrincham striker Dale Johnson.

Despite that, a brace for Brian Smikle and one for Matthew Barnes-Homer ensured Harriers took all three points.

The first half of the match was a fractious affair, blighted by the dismissals of Riley and Altrincham defender Shaun Densmore.

After the game, Riley still couldn't understand why he was given his marching orders.

He said: "I'm chuffed to bits with the lads for the three points, three goals and a clean sheet but part of me is fuming for receiving a red card.

"I remember following the ball over my head. My eyes have never came off the ball and he's not even got control of it and we've just tangled.

"I've not even made a challenge, so I don't see how I can be penalised.

"I don't even think Shaun Densmore's sending off was a red card, it looked a good solid challenge.

"Maybe it was bit aggressive but part of me thinks he was trying to make up for his error with me.

"On the positive the lads were brilliant, we've played some brilliant football as well, so let's look at the positives."

Despite the incidents, there was no doubting that Harriers had been the better side, with forward Smikle once again illustrating his goal-scoring abilities.

In the second half, he was denied his hat-trick by keeper Stuart Coburn and manager Mark Yates felt that he should have more than just the three goals to his tally in the Blue Square Premier.

"It was an eventful match but the most important thing is the three points," he commented.

"There was a bit of controversey with the decisions, perhaps one or two went for us but overall I thought we deserved victory.

"Brian [Smikle] gets himself into an untold amount of good positions to score.

"I honestly believe he could be in double figures because he gets in that many goal-scoring positions.

"He broke his duck last week and he's grabbed two today, he'll score goals because of his energy and boundless enthusiasm.

"I told him he would score two goals today, so I'll take credit for that."

Harriers manager also felt Riley's second off was unfair and he will look at a recording of the game before deciding whether to make an official complaint about referee Michael Naylor.

"I thought Martin's sending off was very harsh. It was great flighted ball and their lad has a touch across him and I thought they just collided," added Yates.

"I was a bit surprised with the red card but we had to get on with it and we did. We scored again and the third goal at the start of the second half killed them off."

Riley will miss Monday's league clash at Tamworth with a one-match suspension and defender Tom Sharpe could earn his first start after an impressive substitute performance against Altrincham.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer will have his fitness assessed tomorrow (Sunday) after limping off injured in the first half when he collided with Coburn.


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