Dorchester goal ace Matt Groves is to make a personal appeal to Dorset FA bosses not to ban him for a massive 35 days.

Groves, last season's leading Dr Martens Premier League marksman for the Magpies who already heads their scoring lists with

four goals in the new Nationwide Conference South, is facing the punishment after being sent off for the first time in his career in a pre-season friendly against Bournemouth Poppies in July.

The Poole-born, 24-year-old former Portsmouth striker is alleged to have retaliated by kicking out at an opponent after being tackled.

The incident went unnoticed by the referee but his attention was drawn to it by one of his assistants and on his advice Groves was shown the red card.

However, Dorchester disagree with the version of the incident given in the ref's report and are asking for Groves to have a personal hearing before the Dorset FA's disciplinary panel to contest the standard 35-day ban handed out by the county for violent conduct.

"The report says Matt kicked an opponent in the stomach," said Magpies boss Mark Morris. "We disagree with that completely and plan to fight our corner," said Magpies boss Mark Morris.

"It was all a fuss about nothing and what happened was a complete over-reaction on the day. We are hoping to make everyone see sense.

"A 35-day ban would be terrible and hopefully it won't come to that because he would miss a lot of games."

Disciplinary matters involving first team players are usually dealt with by the Football Association whose normal punishment for a straight red card is a three-match ban.

However, because the friendly involved a side from a lower league, the FA delegated jurisdiction to the Dorset FA who mete out punishment on a daily rather than a match basis.

Dorchester secretary David Martin said the club had not yet been given a date for Groves' personal hearing.

"You are normally given about three week's notice," he added.