Ellison slams fixtures ‘joke’
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MICHAEL Ellison was the latest Hallmark Security Premier League manager to criticise officials for the congested fixture list as his side face three games in six days starting on Friday.
Runcorn Linnets were held to a 1-1 draw against Padiham on Tuesday evening after Kyle Hamid’s effort was cancelled out by Dominic Craig, but with key clashes against Bootle and Runcorn Town on the horizon, Ellison questioned why his side were being punished.
“We’ve got a game on the Wednesday now as well [away at Ashton Athletic] so we’re playing Friday, Monday and Wednesday,” he said.
“It’s a joke. We’ve had one game called off all season and we’re having to play Monday and Wednesday. You’re getting penalised for having good facilities and a good pitch, but I suppose that’s just the way the league work.
“It’s not our fault other teams have had games called off but I suppose there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Analysing the draw against Padiham in midweek – Linnets had no game during the previous weekend – Ellison was further aggrieved by the decision to disallow Freddie Potter’s late strike despite a strong performance from his team.
Potter was quickest to react as the ball broke loose in the penalty area, but a late flag from the linesman adjudged the goal to be offside.
“We’ve dominated the game, scored a good goal and they’ve had one shot – a 25-yard worldie that hits the bar and goes in,” Ellison added.
“We had enough chances to put the game to bed and it just didn’t go in. It’s really hard to be critical of the lads. We played really, really well again and their goal is the only shot they’ve had in the whole game.”
Speaking about the incident, which would have put Linnets 11 points clear at the top of the table, the manager said: “We’ve defended really well and went down the other end and scored. I don’t want to slate the officials but it’s a goal.
“I went in and spoke to the referee and linesmen and they gave me their opinion so that’s all I can say on that. I appreciate they don’t get to see the video back and it’s in the moment but if you’re going to give offside you have to be 100% sure.
“It was clearly onside. It’s a poor decision. You have those weeks when things aren’t going for you and you have to just keep playing well, keep performing and hopefully things will change for you.”
And Linnets will have the chance to put themselves fully in the driving seat for automatic promotion when they travel to Bootle on Good Friday before welcoming arch-rivals Town three days later.
Ellison said: “If you look at the overall picture it’s not a bad point at Padiham.
“Bootle are up there and will want to beat us and it’s going to be a tough game. People have been going on like it’s a done deal but there’s a lot of football to be played.” ● RUNCORN Town kept just their third clean sheet since November as they overcome Abbey Hey 1-0 on Saturday afternoon – and manager Chris Herbert praised his side’s ability to do the “horrible stuff.”
Mark Reed’s strike just after half-time gave Town all three points as deadline day signings Jamie Menagh, Obi Anoura and substitute Tony Donaldson all made debuts in the victory that keeps them in the promotion running.
“We were dominant early on and should have been ahead,” Herbert said, before admitting the 34th minute dismissal of midfielder Harry Brazel “changed things”.
“Harry got a little frustrated with his first touch. He’s not gone in to hurt anyone and he didn’t hurt anyone. It was just the manner of how he’s gone in and it was a red card, there are no complaints.”
“It wasn’t a pretty performance after that, but we did the horrible stuff well and thoroughly deserved the win.
“It shows the character of the lads. We were dominating the game and missed a penalty early on and after that it went a little scrappy.”
Herbert was also impressed with Menagh and Anoura’s impact after being immediately installed to the starting line-up.
“I thought Obi and Jamie had impressive debuts, and they will only get better as they get used to the lads around them.”
“They were both great. They are experienced even though they’re young lads but they came in and made a difference and that’s what I wanted.”
With Town facing City of Liverpool on Friday – who are just six points behind themselves – before heading into a massive derby game at table-topping Runcorn Linnets the following Monday, the manager believes this is the perfect time for his players to show what they can do.
“The momentum has got to come from somewhere,” he added.
“We can’t keep making excuses when we don’t have games so now the games are coming there are none.
“Everyone around us lost last weekend, really. This is our chance to go and play.”