Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Warren's war of words with Accy boss
WARREN Cummings has defended his reputation after he was involved in a heated cheating row during Cherries’ victory at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Cummings exchanged words with Stanley boss John Coleman after Accrington striker Michael Symes had been booked for felling the Cherries defender.
The incident, which came after just eight minutes, took place in front of the dugouts and resulted in Coleman being banished to the stands by referee Michael Oliver.
Although it is not known what was said at the time, Coleman later claimed Cummings had “rolled over screaming” before getting to his feet to admit Symes had not touched him.
However, when questioned by the Daily Echo, Cummings refuted Coleman’s allegations, which were made during a post-match interview with a local radio station.
The Scotsman said: “I’ve got a swollen ankle to prove it and I don’t quite know what his point was. But if he wants to go around calling people cheats for clearly getting smashed, then that’s his prerogative.
“People call it a striker’s tackle. He came in from the side and although he was only marginally late, he was late and he did catch me. I would never go over unless I was caught.”
Asked whether he felt Coleman had over-reacted during the flashpoint, Cummings replied: “The fact he was being held back by about four people would suggest there was a bit of an over-reaction. It got my back up a bit as well. He was probably wound up regarding the game anyway, but, if he looks back, I’m sure he’ll realise I did get caught.”
Coleman, who also felt Stanley had been denied a “stonewall” penalty following Anton Robinson’s second-half tackle on Andrew Procter, watched the remainder of the first half from a seat on a scaffold tower situated on the opposite side of the ground. “It wasn’t a late challenge,” said Coleman. “Michael stuck a leg out to try to stop the ball and, if he clipped his heel, it was marginal and certainly not a booking.
“I’d like to know if a Premier League manager had got as annoyed as I did, whether he would have been sent to the stands after eight minutes. I think not. I thought the referee was a little bit picky.”
Coleman’s histrionics failed to take the gloss off a hard-fought victory for Cherries, which came courtesy of a headed winner from Danny Hollands 14 minutes from time with Cummings providing the assist from a free kick.
Cummings added: “It remains to be seen what happens but this could turn out to be one of our best results of the season. You have only got to look at what happened to Cheltenham here last week when they were beaten 4-0.
“The first half must have been ugly to watch. If it had been played in your back garden, you probably would have closed the curtains!
“We played a lot better in the second half, got the ball down and got in their faces a bit more. It was a great result.”
