1 - 1, should have won it, could have lost it!
The result was hugely influenced by two atrocious non-decisions, and the return of our penalty hoodo. The visitors should have played the vast majority of the second half with ten men, and the last ten minutes or so with nine; if big decisions like those continue to go their way then they will no doubt be right up there at the end of the season.
A bit worrying that we looked vulnerable from crosses at times, FCUM put in three or four very good ones with very little marking in the centre, including their goal. But in truth Matt Cooper had little in the way of shot stopping to do. In contrast the visiting 'keeper was rightly named their man of the match.
He produced a fine save to divert our penalty onto the bar, and kept his team in the game in the second half with a series of saves. What also kept them in the game though were two decisions that were not given. In the opening minutes of the second period Ashley Stott chased a through ball, the static last defender was beaten and pushed the ball away with his arm. Through on goal, 25 yards out, only the keeper to beat, a clear red card, but we are asked to believe that neither official saw the offence.
Then as the game entered the last ten minutes the ball was about to be nodded into an empty net from five yards, the keeper stranded, and a defender desperately raised his arm to punch the ball away. No matter how long you watch football, you will never see a clearer penalty or red card offence, but yet again we are asked to believe that neither official saw it! Anyone who was there knows full well that there was no way that both officials would not have seen these offences, instead I am absolutely certain they ‘chose’ not to see them, they bottled it.
Even so, we should have finished the game off with numerous chances, but in the final minutes FCUM could have sneaked away with the points when they struck the base of the post.
I think your first line sums it up really, both sides could have won the game!
How that wasn’t given as a penalty at the end I’ll never know, absolutely disgraceful decision. Much better from us second-half, we moved the ball around well and had planty of chances to come away with three points.
A brilliant attendance, with a good 500 Wittoners I’d say. Well done to 99.9% of the people for behaving respectfully.
0.1% nono
How did the ref not see that? mooney
Simple answer - of course he saw it! And the liner had a clear view as well. He’d already given one penalty, and he knew he’d have to give a red card. Bottled it, plain and simple.
[quote=“Mookie Blaylock” post=45858]
How did the ref not see that? mooney[/quote]
One of the worst non decisions i’ve ever seen at a football match bangwall Thought we played well, particularly second half, and could have grabbed all three points had their keeper not been on top form or if we’d had abit of luck.
Anyway more than happy with our unbeaten start to the season. Special mention to the groundstaff today the pitch looked absoluetly immaculate particularly given the amount of rain we’ve had today/over the weekend. UTA
OK, OK, these things should even out, and, to be honest, I wasn’t that convinced about the penalty that we did get! Instead of complaining about the officials, let’s concentrate on the positives. Good game, good gate, plenty to entertain the spectators, could have gone either way. Once again, it was good to see that towards the end of a close game it was Witton who were the side that were trying hardest to win it, shame we didn’t quite make it this week, but better that than dropping back to hang on for a point (and then probably conceding!).
And utmost credit to our stewards, for defusing the situation in the first half. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one offended by some of the chants from the Witton end, thankfully not from genuine Witton supporters. Well done!
No mention of their firsthalf two-footed lunge over the top of the ball? Not even given as a freekick.
Played really really well second half.
Conceded another soft goal to be honest, after doing the same on Saturday - but that can be sorted out on the training ground.
The ref claims the pen wasn’t given due to the defender having his back to the ball, and therefore could not have known he was moving his hand towards it. I’ll have one of what he was drinking please landlord…
Hey, well done to Pritch and the boys! 8 from 4 games, a great return. Would have been satisfied with half that at this stage.
Penalty plain and simples - no excuses, no reason not to give it - but we had lot of chances and the fact that theit keeper was MOM sums it up.
Great effort, great display by our lads, especially 2nd half, . onwards and upwards and NOTHING to be frightened of in this league.
Sort of agree with all the comments re the decision not to give us a penalty. The defender clearly for ALL to see deflected Josh’s header away from goal with his hand. Penalty. No other decision. I would put a formal complaint to the FA about the incompetence of the referee. Respect, the refs want it so for christ sake earn it! Anyway, as previously said these things even themselves out over a season. Throughly enjoyed the game. The set up at Witton is a credit to all involved. I was saddened to hear the news that Mr Waterman is very poorley. I hope todays efforts made him smile a little. SBL
before the game would have taken a point , at half time would have taken a point , but after a great display in the second half we should have won this game . Just left the pub in Sandbach where l have had a drink with 2 FCUM fans who were at the game , they were at the far end of the pitch and could not belive that the handball was not given . They also told me that we have a great setup and had a great day out
For the first time in living memory a Witton team in front of an expectant large crowd didn’t “Bottle it”. Instead they showed why they are not only more than up to this standard but possibly better than this standard. Pritch, you are a bloody genius!!
WHS.
[quote=“WHS” post=45868]For the first time in living memory a Witton team in front of an expectant large crowd didn’t “Bottle it”.
WHS.[/quote]
Saturday 28th April 2012
Curzon Ashton 0-3 Witton Albion
Att: 989
what a cracking game of football, and what a second half performance from witton. you just could not fault the players for their 110% commitment. this team certainly did witton and us supporters proud today. you cannot ask for anything more, except maybe just a little bit of luck. oh i forgot we could definately do with some good decisions from the ref, which we don’t seem to get. we should definately complain to the fa about several of todays match deciding decisions by todays ref. however looking on the bright side, this team ARE going to do wiotton proud this season, of that there is no doubt.
In fairness to the ref, FC are complaining too, so he was impartially shit. More than one occassion he’d let one or two fouls go and then pull it back during an advantage. Oh well, another great performance from the lads against one of the promotion favourites. :clap
Ref! bangwall
Thought it was a decent game today, and as an FCUM fan, I’m happy with a point, thought we had the measure of it first half, but your boys upped the ante and bossed it second half…
Here’s a few snaps from the game…
And one in particular that seems to be a bone of contention… (not included initially as out of focus)
All the best for the coming season…
ur right that people there not been to last 50 matches but people also come to support the players aswell as the team,i understand that things were said out of line but was nipped in the bud early on and as for burning flags i was there to the end and as an evertonion i would have pulled anyone up for doing that because i like fcum and man utd,ive spoke to lots after the game and no one saw what is being said,would also like to say well played both teams and a special mention to fcum goalkeepper who was by far the best player on the pitch but also for him to have banter with the fans fair play to u
I think the comment on 1:43 on the YouTube video sums up the referees decision :red
Thought we sat off 1st half and soaked up the early pressure from FCUM, then 2nd half came out higher up the pitch and showed that we are definatley no pushovers in the NPL, thought that Josh Hancock was head and shoulders above the rest (bar their goalkeeper) but all in all a great point, and ROLL ON BUXTON :clap
A very good game to watch, full of incidents and action, first half they were clearly better, stronger and I was a bit worried we seemed a bit nervous and off our game, second half what a transformation we were all over them and there keeper kept them in it , ably assisted by a poor referee who miseed or bottled big decisions - he did not seem to want to award a second penalty even if it was deserved either he or the liner should have seen 2 good claims 
however this game clearly shows we can compete at the top of this league and when we have connors and shaw fit we will have greater options tactically.
ps did not think Buchan was offside for his goal near the end either and I was dead in line, Mike may have been in the middle but was not interfering at all