Yet Another Refereeing Horror Show

When on earth will we get the chance to see modern technology used to help avoid such a horror show as that given tonight?

Mr E Ilderton was first called into a dispute when rhe ball struck a Norwich player on his arm in the box. At first the referee made what looked the right call.

However his linesman flagged and after confering with him the penalty was awarded. The referee was much closer to the incident and the ball though striking an arm was not in any way deserving of such a reward.

Tranmere duly scored with a well struck shot. Worse was to follow a mere three minutes later, as a poor back pass was picked up by captain Thomas-Moore. He ran on to the ball and flicked it past the keeper before being brought down.

This time there was no argument. The cameras clearly showing that the keeper had caught the Rovers captain albeit slightly. Being last man he was sent off and the second keeper had to come on from the bench.

Thomas-Moore again scored firing into the opposite side to the one his first shot had gone.

The next Tranmere goal was an even worse decision by the officials. Rovers had a corner and from the resulting play the ball fell to Curran who blatantly pulled the ball down with his hand/arm before smasshing it past the Norwich keeper Rudd.

Despite Norwich protestations the goal was allowed to stand. The game reached half time and 3-0 was not a fair reflection.

The second half started and the drama began yet again. First Martin a Norwich substitute did some good work which led to Grant Holt scoring his 29th goal of the season. This goal was strongly appealed against by Tranmere who said that the ball had crossed the bye line. It was hard for the linesman to tell, as he had not kept up with the play adequately.

Then a few minutes later more drama. Norwich were given a free kick after one of their players was fouled. The Tranmere player kicked the ball away and Lambert the Norwich manager went on to the pitch and kicked it to his player.

Lambert was sent to the stand for entering the field of play and kicking the ball and Gary Karsa Head Of Football Operations was sent with him for foul and abusive language.

The referee also waved away claims for a penalty from Norwich when a player was hacked down with no contact being made with the ball by the Tranmere defender. Again the incident clearly shown by the tv cameras.

The final whistle came and a highly controversial match was over. Paul Lambert when interviewed by Sky was visibly upset by the pathetically inept refereeing performance. He had to stop and think before giving his opinion of the refereeing performance. All he said in the end was that it was ‘shocking.’

Yet another game completely ruined by the inadequate referee and his cohorts. Ruined because the authorities won’t do something to help eradicate these errors. The technology is there so why on earth can’t we use it?