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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.