Newcastle Town 3
Spalding United 1
Pat Rayment launched a furious tirade against the standard of refereeing in Evo-Stik League First Division South after seeing his side beaten 3-1 at play-off rivals Newcastle Town on Saturday.
Goals from Jose Gurrionero Munoz (24), Joshua Gordon (66) and Tim Sanders (77) fired second-placed Newcastle to a big three points.
Matt Nolan (51) did level the scores early in the second half, but Pat Rayment’s side fell out of the play-off spots as a result of the loss, having been leapfrogged by Gresley.
Rayment reckons that two of Newcastle’s three goals shouldn’t have stood, while he is also angry that Jamie Thurlbourne saw a free kick controversially disallowed by the referee.
And the Spalding boss hasn’t held back in his criticism of the officials.
“To be fair to my team, they didn’t really have any influence over the result,” quipped Rayment. “The refereeing was inept.
“For their first goal, OK, Michael Duggan has punched a corner into his own net. But the player that won the corner was three yards offside.
“Then, for their second goal, Jamie Stevens and Michael Leary both stopped because the ball was clearly out of play.
“Their left-back was laughing at the decision as they celebrated.
“To make matters worse, Jamie Thurlbourne had a goal ruled out for no reason at all. He was over a free kick and the referee asked him if he wanted the defenders to give him ten yards, or to play on.
“He played on and everyone knew what was happening. But when the ball went in the net, the referee just changed his mind.
“I’m not laughing, but the decision was laughable. We just looked on in disbelief, you can’t believe how bad the officials were.
“I know there are a shortage of referees in this country – and there’s no way I’d do the job. But if this is the best we’ve got, they may as well give up.
“In most jobs, you’d get sacked if you were consistently poor at your job. That’s not the case for these referees, I’m afraid.
“That’s two times against Newcastle this season alone that decisions have cost us dear. Full credit to Newcastle, they are a very good side and are up there for a reason – this issue has nothing to do with them.
“I’m just fed up of these referees. It’s happened to us too many times this season now. If it carries on, I’ll either have to Sellotape my mouth shut or start sitting in the stand.
“Regardless of my feelings, we’re still in a strong position and will regroup.”
After a cat and mouse opening spell in which Newcastle had the edge with their extra pace, it was the Tulips who were nearest to scoring on 15 minutes. With goalkeeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston miskicking a clearance on the 18 yard line.
Jack McGovern pounced on the loose ball and fired towards an empty goal, only to see Aaron Carter race back and clear from the line.
Minutes later a free-kick pinged into the area by Thurlbourne, created mild panic before Nathan Stainfield fired over the bar.
But it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock on 24 minutes. Winger Tom France, clearly offside on the right touchline, crossed into the area to force Duggan into a save at the expense of a corner. From the following kick the keeper’s attempted punched clearance glanced off his glove – and with the wind assisting, the ball looped back over his head and into the net, although Munoz was credited with the goal.
Play continued from end to end and Newcastle were denied a second on 36 minutes when Duggan redeemed himself with a smart reflex save to turn France’s effort over the bar.
As the half drew to a close the Tulips forced four consecutive corner kicks without bringing reward and the pressure on the home goal ended with an offside decision.
Spalding, however, were back on level terms soon after the interval with Nolan finding space at the back post to nod in an in-swinging Lee Beeson corner on 54 minutes.
But the 66th minute saw home advantage restored with a close range strike by Gordon, following a cross by Tom Urwin who had got a foot to the ball after it had, according to defenders Stevens and skipper Leary, crossed the by-line without being spotted by a referee’s assistant.
The Tulips, playing some good football, although lacking a yard or so of pace at times, would have been level in the 73rd minute if Thurlbourne’s great free kick strike had been allowed to stand, but Newcastle rubbed salt into their wounds by scoring their third five minutes later.
Duggan did well to parry Munoz’s shot, but captain Sanders reacted quickly to score from the rebound.
Spalding must now regroup ahead of tonight’s (Tuesday) Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field clash with league leaders Mickleover Sports (7.45pm).
They, however, must do without Stainfield, Nolan and Mitch Griffiths.
Follow @Andrew_Clucas on Twitter for live updates from the game
Tulips: Duggan, Leary (Vieira 89), Jackson, Stevens, Stain field, Webb, Beeson, Hall, Nolan, McGovern (Waumsley 73), Thurlbourne (Banister 82). Not used: Adams, Pycock.
Attendance: 81
