Saturday saw us head to Hydebank to play Holywood with the league title wide open it would be two Refereeing blunders that would cost Ards.
The match kick off with both teams up for it and it had the makes of being a good tough match but little did we now that a poor Referee would ruin it. The first blunder came in the 12th minute when Holywood hit a shot which Jai pulled off a save as the ball broke Holywood go a toe to the ball and as hit headed goal wards Andrew Graham came in to clear the ball away, only for the Referee standing least 30 yards away to award the goal. The ball was never near the goal line which was barely visible due to the muck never mind being on the line, the boys went to the referee to ask him how he could give it and he would not even speak to the boys and the Holywood players never appealed for the goal and to their surprise were awarded it. There was worse yet to come. The boys got the heads up and kept pushing forward but could find the break they needed in the first half.
Half Time: 0. 1
The second half saw us playing against a very strong wind which had picked up more but the boys were focused and knew what they had to do as we went forward looking for the equaliser. Marcus Baron replaces Ryan Hannah on the 43rd minute as Ryan was starting to suffer from the chest infection he had through the week. Matthew Cunningham had to come on for Stuart Graham in 48th minute who picked up a knock and couldn’t continue. With us having control of the second and pushing for the equaliser we went to a back three with Andrew Graham being replace with a forward Dee Thompson, then came another Refereeing howler 10 minutes from the end of the match, two Hollywood players collided with each other and as the ball broke Matthew Guest cracked the ball into the top corner on for the Referee to blow his whistle after the ball was in the net disallowed the goal stating that he had blew for a head injury, at no time did the whistle blow before the ball hit the net as there was no foul the goal should have stood. So the story of this match is all about Goals, a goal that wasn’t and a goal that was and a very very poor Referee who had no interest in keeping up with play. I must say the Referees we have at so far this season have be excellent but this one must be at the bottom of the pile, SHOCKING. The final straw came when Matthew Guest was sailing down the left wing as he went through the Holywood midfield he was tackle from behind he manage to keep his feet but lost the ball he should had a free kick as there was no advantage but the Ref did not give it (surprise, surprise) and Matthew jumped in to the tackle afterwards and got himself booked, this would not have happened if the Referee had give the free kick earlier which he should have.
Full Time: 0.1
MANAGERS COMMENTS:
It’s a shame when you have to harp on about poor Refereeing but this one was absolutely poor and that’s a fact. This could be the result that cost us a chance of winning the league as it is so tight at the top. Well done to my Bravehearts who battled all the way till the end and never game up, you were the best team on the day but you all know why you lost that match. We are going to have to do it the hard way and win all of your remaining games but I know you all can do it, look out Rosario Ards Youth are hurting.
