Hirst: Penalty appeal could have been given
Pompey forward feels shout for a spot kick may have gone either way
GEORGE HIRST has lifted the lid on his late penalty claim against Sheffield Wednesday – admitting it ‘could’ have been given.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in last night’s League One match, the Pompey forward latched on to a wind-assisted through ball and pipped Bailey PeacockFarrell to the post – but after the 22-year-old poked the ball beyond the Owls goalkeeper, he went down inside the box.
This sparked furious calls from players and fans alike for a penalty to be awarded, but referee Sam Purkiss waved away Pompey’s appeals and Wednesday eventually cleared their lines.
And the Leicester loanee explained how he could have seen the decision going in his favour.
Speaking to The News, Hirst said: ‘I think it could be given and could not be.
‘I’ve tried to nick the ball round him and I sort of left it but ended up going round the other side.
‘Has he clipped me? Has he not?
‘It’s one of them where I’ve ended up slipping and ended up going down. On another day, I don’t go down and have a tap in.’
Despite the Blues creating a number of opportunities, the former Sheffield Wednesday man couldn’t cap another strong display with a goal as Pompey had to settle for a 0-0 draw despite playing the final quarter of the contest against 10 men.
More often than not, Hirst found himself matched by an
inspired Peacock-Farrell in the Owls goal, who consistently thwarted him and his team-mates.
One of Peacock-Farrell’s saves came when Hirst saw his venomous first-half strike saved by the feet of the 25-year-old after he broke clear of the defence.
And the Pompey forward explained how he’ll continue to work hard in training to ensure such opportunities achieve the desired outcome.
He continued: ‘Yeah it was on my left foot, I just tried to get good contact on it and put it through his legs because I saw him come out and spread himself. ‘Unfortunately it’s hit his foot and bounced out and it’s one of them where I beat myself up about it at the time, but that’s the life of a striker.
‘I’m trying to put it past the keeper and ultimately he’s trying to stop that happening.
‘I can’t be too disheartened. I’ll keep working on the training ground and the goals will hopefully start going in.’
– SAM COX Last night’s other League One results: Accrington Stanley 0-2 AFC Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic 2-0 Ipswich Town, Cheltenham Town 0-5 Cambridge United, Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Oxford United, Fleetwood Town 3-0 Bolton Wanderers, Rotherham United 5-1 Gillingham, Sunderland 5-0 Morecambe, Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Burton Albion.