[h=3]Barnes: Referee trip was an accident[/h]11:30am Monday 22nd April 2013 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Ashley Barnes scores Albion's sixth
ASHLEY Barnes has claimed he was innocent after a red card cast a shadow over his Albion career.
Barnes was banned for seven matches for attempting to trip referee Nigel Miller at Bolton last month.
The striker says it was accidental but wants to put the furore behind him after scoring twice on his comeback in the 6-1 destruction of Blackpool at The Amex.
Barnes broke his silence after scoring the last two goals deputising at centre-forward for the rested Leo Ulloa.
He told The Argus: "It's been very tough for something you haven't done but can't answer yourself but it's forgotten now.
“I'm here now back playing and I need to get on with it. The lads have been fantastic, don’t take anything away from them. It’s not about me but the lads that have got us here.
“I had no intention to do what I’ve done or what I’ve been claimed to do but it’s gone now. I’ve done my time, I’m back playing and hopefully I can give something back to help the lads.”
Barnes was surprised to be restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Ulloa, who was flagging following his extertions in the previous two games away to Peterborough and Middlesbrough.
He celebrated by converting crosses from substitute Kazenga LuaLua and third goalscorer Andrea Orlandi in the last 14 minutes to raise his season’s tally to nine and round off a victory which has Albion on the brink of securing a play-off spot.
Barnes said: “I didn’t even think I would be in the squad, because the lads have been fantastic. It was brilliant to get the nod and I just wanted to give something back.”
Substituted keeper Tomasz Kuszczak will be fit for Saturday’s final away fixture at Leeds, despite a second half collision with Blackpool sub Gary Taylor-Fletcher which left him dizzy.
Original article
ASHLEY Barnes has claimed he was innocent after a red card cast a shadow over his Albion career.
Barnes was banned for seven matches for attempting to trip referee Nigel Miller at Bolton last month.
The striker says it was accidental but wants to put the furore behind him after scoring twice on his comeback in the 6-1 destruction of Blackpool at The Amex.
Barnes broke his silence after scoring the last two goals deputising at centre-forward for the rested Leo Ulloa.
He told The Argus: "It's been very tough for something you haven't done but can't answer yourself but it's forgotten now.
“I'm here now back playing and I need to get on with it. The lads have been fantastic, don’t take anything away from them. It’s not about me but the lads that have got us here.
“I had no intention to do what I’ve done or what I’ve been claimed to do but it’s gone now. I’ve done my time, I’m back playing and hopefully I can give something back to help the lads.”
Barnes was surprised to be restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Ulloa, who was flagging following his extertions in the previous two games away to Peterborough and Middlesbrough.
He celebrated by converting crosses from substitute Kazenga LuaLua and third goalscorer Andrea Orlandi in the last 14 minutes to raise his season’s tally to nine and round off a victory which has Albion on the brink of securing a play-off spot.
Barnes said: “I didn’t even think I would be in the squad, because the lads have been fantastic. It was brilliant to get the nod and I just wanted to give something back.”
Substituted keeper Tomasz Kuszczak will be fit for Saturday’s final away fixture at Leeds, despite a second half collision with Blackpool sub Gary Taylor-Fletcher which left him dizzy.
Original article