The Football Association has today rejected Huddersfield Town's appeal against goalkeeper Matt Glennon's red card at Southend United on Wednesday night.
The one match ban has been upheld by the FA's disciplinary committee, despite Southend's Leon Clarke - the man Glennon was alledged to have brought down to earn his sending-off - attempting to help Town's bid by writing a letter confirming that he slipped and that Town's shot-stopper didn't touch him on his route to goal. This now means that Glennon will miss tomorrow's derby game at Leeds United, leaving 17-year old Alex Smithies as Town's only available custodian.
A disappointed Andy Ritchie talked to htafc.com in the aftermath of the decision.
"I'm bitterly disappointed with the outcome, as you would expect. I'm also really disappointed for Matty; his previous disciplinary record speaks for itself. Now he's missing out on one of our biggest games, but it's a great chance for Alex Smithies.
"He was fantastic at the Under-17 World Cup in Korea over the summer, where received a lot of plaudits - all of which were fully deserved. Now he's being thrust into his first full game for us, but the fact that it's over at Leeds must be a dream scenario for him. I'm sure he'll do well."
