Daylight Robbery !

The one thing we are continually told through the televisual and radio media is that criticism of the referee by club officials is punishable, mainly through fines which far exceed those dished out for more serious on the field incidents. However, for the second week running, Carlisle united have suffered to the incompetence of a referee and his support staff. This week, that well known official – Scott Mathieson (not known amongst football supporters for his ability to manage a game of football, but for his inability to do so). From start to finish it seems that Mr Mathieson was out to spoil a decent game of football and the supporters day out. Time and again his decision proved incorrect with both sets of players seemingly confused as to why play as stopped.
It could be said that referee’s don’t score goals and ship goals out, no, but they certainly have a major part to play in ‘goal assists’. For a while yesterday one could be forgiven for believing that the Mathieson felt he was refereeing a Manchester United game at Old Trafford, allowing as much injury/extra time as necessary to allow a team to score. Four minutes he added to the ninety, no one, presumably not even Cheltenham boss John Ward knew where the amount came from. Sadly it did and poor old Kev Gray nodded the ball inot his own net to give the visitors a draw.
Had United won this game then they would have gone top of the league. Michael Bridges was again on the scoresheet, firing home Karl Hawley’s low cross in the 40th minute. The second half saw United surge forward at every opportunity, but they couldn’t breech the visitors goal again. Bridges in particular looked sharp and full of tricks.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t to be, Mr Mathieson and his co-horts made sure of that. A draw is definitely two points dropped from this encounter. United still sit in second place in the league, with Orient theonly team from the top four picking up maximum points from the weekends fixtures.
Next up is the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Semi-Final at home to Kidderminster Harriers. Fo a full match preview kepe visiting this site.