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Controversy reigns

2/ 4/2008

BOTH managers wasted no time in airing their huge disappointment after County’s game at Chester on Saturday was abandoned by referee Iain Williamson with just half-an-hour to go.

The game itself was still goalless at that stage, but almost every person inside the Deva Stadium appeared happy to have played on for the remaining 30 minutes, despite the soggy conditions.

However, the man in the middle that mattered decided otherwise and the frustration was clear just after the players had been forced to troop off from such a crucial game.

Hatters boss Jim Gannon said: "I think the pitch has dried out now. The pitch was in better condition when the ref called it off than it was after 10 minutes.

"If you are going to make a decision, then surely make it after 10 or 15 minutes. He’s put the players in danger, he’s wrecked the pitch, and he’s called the game off at a point when everyone wanted to continue.

"People will say the referee was in a lose-lose situation, but the way he handled the whole day’s events was frustrating. I think the whole situation needs to be looked at.

"As professional people and professional players, we are constantly being subjected to amateurism. We need to have a real look at how the game is being managed."

Gannon added: "The rain came down heavily at the start of the match, and right from the first five or 10 minutes you could see the ball was sticking. I think it’s farcical.

"The decision should have been made then, but the referee wasn’t brave enough.

"I just don’t get frustrated and angry any more though. I’ve become accustomed to poor practise and poor people in the game. We’ve seen that again today.

"Everyone wanted to carry on. People were a bit concerned about some of the challenges and the ball getting stuck, but there was only 30 minutes left.

"The referee made his decision without consulting us though.

"He’s just checked that the safety stewards were in place and then it was time to take the players off.

"That just added to the farce of it all."

Referee Williamson was asked to comment on his decision to abandon after the game, but he declined to do so.

However, Gannon’s opposite number, Simon Davies, added: "The pitch was heavy but it wasn’t that bad and in the second half it was only drizzling.

"If the ref was going to call it off he should have done it at half-time.

"All the players on the pitch wanted it to go on so the decision baffles me."