Skipper Tom Ward sees red as St Neots suffer defeat against Slough in Southern League Premier Division opener

St Neots Town are considering whether or not to appeal the dismissal of captain Tom Ward after launching the new season on a losing note.

The Saints skipper saw red just before half-time in a 2-0 loss to Slough Town in a Southern League Premier Division match played at Beaconsfield.

Ward was dismissed for making head-to-head contact with home player Charlie Moone in the aftermath of a challenge, but joint boss Andy Davies believes that was not the case.

Davies said: “I know my player and I am adamant he would not have done anything like that. Hopefully we can get hold of some video and appeal the red card.”

That sending-off was not the only source of disappointment for Davies on a day when heavy traffic meant Saints did not arrive at the ground until an hour before kick-off.

He also saw his team concede a soft opener after a quarter-of-an-hour, scored by Moone, before their fate was sealed by a second Slough goal from Warren Harris eight minutes into the second period. That arrived from a move which began with a goal kick when Davies insisted his side should have been awarded a corner.

And to rub salt into their wounds, St Neots emerged after the game to be greeted by a smashed windscreen on the club minibus - a suspected act of vandalism.

Davies added: “It certainly wasn’t the start we were hoping to have.

“The performance the players produced was not good enough and we need to put it right.

“The boys know my feelings and I’m expecting better when we host King’s Lynn on Tuesday.”

Saints were without full-back Jonny Hall and widemen Jordan Patrick and Ryan Hawkins due to injury.