Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries star Cummings: I wish I had bit my tongue
WARREN Cummings was full of remorse after admitting the red mist had descended on him during Cherries' fiery derby defeat at Aldershot.[LNB] Cummings and Shots' substitute goalkeeper Clark Masters were both sent off as an ill-tempered Recreation Ground contest reached boiling point in the closing stages.[LNB] All hell broke loose when Cummings reacted angrily by leathering the ball at the Alder-shot dugout after Masters had initially thrown it at the Scotsman as he prepared to take a throw.[LNB] The incident sparked ugly scenes as players, subs and backroom staff from both camps squared up, while Cherries skipper Jason Pearce had to forcefully restrain Cummings from seeking out Masters.[LNB] Stewards rushed on to the pitch to help intervene before referee Simon Hooper eventually dismissed both Cummings and Masters, with Aldershot's reserve keeper having played no part in the match.[LNB] Cummings, who saw red for the second time in his 286-game career, will receive an automatic three-match ban as will Masters with referee Hooper confirming that his report would cite the pair for violent conduct.[LNB] Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cummings said: I reacted in the wrong way. Everybody could see that the ball had been thrown in my face and the person who did it just sat there laughing.[LNB] Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish I had just bit my tongue and got on with it. But I'm not sure how many people would have reacted differently.[LNB] I shouldn't have done it but, when you're provoked, it's very difficult. I'm annoyed with myself and I let down my team-mates. It's not often I lose my temper and I will pay the consequences by not being able to help the team for the next three games.[LNB] Cummings's absence against Crewe, Rotherham and Cheltenham leaves boss Eddie Howe with a major defensive headache as his threadbare squad has no natural replacement.[LNB] Howe said: We can't afford to lose anybody for three games, that's why we need everybody to be responsible and keep their heads at all times.[LNB] It is going to be difficult to replace him because he's the only left-back we've got. He's done very well this season and it is a massive blow.[LNB] Cummings's rush of blood came as the hosts were trying to make a substitution and Aldershot manager Kevin Dillon tried to defend Masters by claiming his actions had been unintentional.[LNB] Dillon said: We don't use the multi-ball system and the full-back tried to take the throw with a ball somebody from the opposition bench had given him when the correct ball was already there.[LNB] Our goalkeeper threw him the ball under arm and the defender took exception. It might have hit him in the face but there was no intention whatsoever.[LNB] Former Cherries star and BBC Radio Solent summariser John Williams added to the debate when he said: I know tempers were running high but is was a cowardly act by the Aldershot player.[LNB] Bournemouth had just gone 2-1 behind and had played magnificently in the second half. If it had happened to me, I would have kicked the ball back and then followed in to the dugout.[LNB]
