MIDFIELD master Michael Simpson is free to face Bournemouth on Saturday after an amazing cock-up from Premiership referee Jeff Winter.

The bungling whistler forgot to report Simmo's booking at Cambridge United to the FA, thereby letting the Wycombe player off a two-game ban.

Simmo was expecting to be suspended for the weekend's trip to the seaside and Tuesday's match at home to Blackpool after totting up ten bookings

Manager Lawrie Sanchez said: "It's an amazing reprieve. It pretty much sums up Jeff Winter.

"We all thought Simmo was booked on the night. He held up the card, but he's seems to have forgotten he booked him.

"At the time I thought it was a harsh booking.

"Its a big boost to us. It means he doesn't miss the games against Blackpool and Bournemouth and that's good news for us.

"He's a very important influence on the whole team. He's there to be counted in every game and is consistently good in what he does."

But Simmo is still walking a tightrope. If he gets another booking before April 8 he will still receive a two-match ban.

Return to this site after the game for Adam Cooper's match report

February 14, 2002 13:38