Ref abandons game at 3-0
News Archive > Sport > Ref abandons game at 3-0
ST STEPHEN manager Roger Green has hit out at referee Paul Roberts, after the club’s game at home to Bere Alston was abandoned twenty minutes into the second half, with St Stephen leading 3-0.
Referee Roberts caused controversy with both sides throughout the game and he stunned the home team when he blew his whistle mid-way through the second half.
Green told the Voice: “The ref had indicated to me that he felt that we had played enough time for the result to stand but if he had made an honest mistake then I hope that this will also stand in our favour and it would seem unfair if we were to be penalised.”
Green’s side had shot into a three-goal half-time lead with Nick Bailie (two) and Jordan Willmott on the scoresheet and Green admitted that he would be disappointed if the result wasn’t allowed to stand and has confirmed that the club has been in contact with the league following the decision.
Green whose side would have picked up their fourth straight victory went on to add: “We played about 15 or 20 minutes of the second half and the weather hadn’t really improved from the first half, but it wasn’t any worse and the pitch in my opinion was still playable.
“The pitch was holding up ok, but we could have certainly carried on.
“There was thunder and lightning but it was not directly overhead, the ref blew his whistle and called us to the centre circle, it was quite strange really.
“We went bananas, we knew we were close to having played enough time but it was so strange.
“They delayed the kick-off time because some of their players didn’t turn up on time and I am hoping that the league will be taking this into consideration.
“I think the pitch was still playable, we certainly could have played another ten or 15 minutes, even if we didn’t finish the game.
“We would have no complaints if it had been in the first half, but we had been out there for 65 minutes, it was a real shame.”
East Cornwall league fixture secretary Mike Murray confirmed that the matter will be discussed at the league’s next meeting and the league will await the referee's report before making a further decision.
