Poor ref calls robbing us of precious points: Smyth
GLENTORAN assistant boss Gary Smyth feels his side are being “mugged” by officials this season.
The Glens were left fuming on Saturday when Joe Gormley slotted in a late winner for Cliftonville at Solitude just a few seconds after Robbie McDaid was tackled from behind.
The visitors felt they should have had a free-kick and after the game boss Ronnie McFall questioned why his side were being punished by poor decisions.
“For us to be so consistently on the wrong end of decisions you have to ask is there something going on,” blasted McFall. “You can understand one match but consistently we have had bad decisions.
“You have to have a meeting and ask what is going on. The club have to take some action because everybody is suffering — backroom staff, directors, supporters and players.”
Smyth shares McFall’s frustration because he feels the east Belfast side are being denied precious points — points their performances deserve.
“Unfortunately refereeing decisions have hurt us recently. I know people say it happens to all clubs but we’ve been hammered,” said the Glenslegend.
“You try to grin and bear it but it’s beyond a joke at the minute. Against Coleraine two shocking decisions went against us and we knocked our pan in on Saturday only to be mugged at the end.
“Everyone can make mistakes but we seem to be getting them week in, week out. In the Glenavon game decisions also went against us.
“The boys were left gutted by the shocking decision on Saturday and then you are down to 10 men after Ross (Redman) gets sent off, showing his frustration.
“The hardest thing is picking the boys up afterwards, I could hardly speak myself I was so annoyed. We aren’t getting any help.
“The Coleraine game should not have gone into extra-time because of their offside goal.
“I can’t remember the standard of refereeing being as bad but hopefully things will change. It’s difficult to take because the players gave it everything at Solitude and the goal comes straight after a free-kick that wasn’t given.
“We are feeling sorry for ourselves because of that.”
The Glens appealed John Herron’s red card against Glenavon but were disappointed to learn that it was unsuccessful.
Herron is now suspended for the matches against Ballymena United, Crusaders and Coleraine.
The club stated: “Despite a very thorough appeal by the club, referee Keith Kennedy and assessor John Ferry maintained their original position and this was supported by the committee.
“Glentoran FC thanks the committee for taking the time to hear the appeal but the club is bitterly disappointed that despite independent television footage we will be without a key player who the club maintains committed no offence on the day.”
Also suspended for tomorrow’s home clash with Ballymena United are Ross Redman, John McGuigan and Steven Gordon.
David Jeffrey’s Sky Blues have been in awesome form with last Friday’s win at home to Glenavon leaving them third in the table.
“Results are disappointing but I think we are playing well,” added Smyth. “I think the only game in which you could say we deserved to lose was against Crusaders. Every other game has been in the balance and a few we have lost should have been won.
“Our luck will turn and the players brought in have been excellent. Conor Pepper, Joe Crowe and John Herron are quality players and Chris Gallagher has been superb.
“I don’t believe the league table is a fair reflection of our performances. With a few better decisions by the officials we would be at least four points better off.”