U’s boss has say on penalty calls and late red card

Football

U’s boss has say on penalty calls and late red card

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October 2, 2024

U’s boss has say on penalty calls and late red card

Second half challenges on Tyler Goodrham, Kyle Edwards and Dane Scarlett were all waved away by referee James Bell, despite strong calls for a penalty on each occasion by the U’s.

The Goodrham incident in particular looked like Bell was putting his whistle to his lips to give a spot kick, but instead play was waved on, and Ruben Rodrigues headed wide from a Peter Kioso cross.

United head coach Buckingham said: “There were three calls for a penalty. The first one on Tyler I think is a pen.

“He doesn’t touch the ball the other player and I asked at the time, if it’s not a pen, then book the player for diving because it’s one or the other.

“Speaking to the officials afterwards, it sounds like the referee was about to give it and the linesman said no, so it’s the linesman that’s not given that one.

“I’ve just seen the one on Kyle at the end, where he creeps inside, and for me, that’s a nailed on one.

“We’re getting those at the moment. I’m told they’ll even themselves out, but I won’t let them detract from a wonderful performance from us.”

In addition to the shouts for a second half penalty, referee Bell had a decision to make when Hatters substitute Liam Walsh, who only entered the fray a matter of seconds earlier, lunged in on Siriki Dembele.

Bell showed Walsh a straight red card with 13 minutes left to go in the clash, and there was little in the way of protest from the home side.

Buckingham though defended the challenge somewhat, pointing to the wet surface at Kenilworth Road, and said he didn’t think there was any malice in the tackle.

Buckingham said: “I’ve just seen Dembs’ leg. I didn’t see the contact at the time, but the way the player’s gone in, I was just looking at the state of Dembs’ leg. It’s not nice. It’s just a nasty gash, so he should be fine.

“The pitch and the conditions, I’m not saying it’s an excuse to chuck yourself in, but sometimes it carries through or you make decisions in these moments where you think you’re going to get the ball and it skips away.

“It affects sometimes your decision-making. I don’t think there was any real malice in there, it’s probably just a mistimed tackle. The good thing is Dembs is okay and we can get him ready for Saturday.”