Gaffer bemoans tough Cup calls
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon lamented “critical decisions” going against The Hatters, as his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by National League North leaders York City on Saturday.
In what may possibly be County’s final trip to Bootham Crescent before the Minstermen’s move to pastures new next summer, two first-half goals were enough for the hosts to ease past The Hatters and into the first round proper.
With the tie broadcast live on BT Sport across the nation on Saturday evening, the affair wasn’t without its controversy, however - as The Hatters were denied what appeared to be a blatant handball inside the York area with the game poised at nil-nil.
The BT Sport punditry team all suggested that the officials had missed a clear and obvious decision as veteran defender Steve McNulty avoided conceding a penalty for the incident - but Gannon took no solace in the referee’s attempted explanation after the fact.
“The referee told me that even though the defender’s hands were up, he doesn’t believe it was handball.
“That’s not my interpretation - and it’s even more farcical that the fourth official said his hands were by his side.
“That’s the issue with fourth officials, they end up winding you up with comments like that. I believe the defender’s hands were raised and in an unnatural position, which is a penalty.
“It makes a huge difference in critical moments like that, where you just want the referee to make the right decision,” said the Irishman.
The Hatters had spurned a number of strong opportunities prior to York’s bizarre opener, as dangerman Alex Kempster hooked a cross all the way in to the net, over a helpless Ben Hinchliffe in the County goal.
Striker Nyal Bell also missed a couple of giltedged chances at various stages of the tie after former Hatter Sean Newton had drilled Steve Watson’s men into a commanding lead via an unfortunate Festus Arthur deflection.
While Bell’s performance in front of goal came under particular scrutiny, Gannon refused to get carried away in his criticism.
“We did have some good chances,” he said. “Nyal is probably overthinking the chances he’s had, but there were times when I don’t know how the ball didn’t end up in the net, with last-ditch challenges and things like that. We were disappointed to come in at half time without a goal. We’ve created more chances in this game than some games which we’ve won it’s just unfortunate we didn’t test the goalkeeper enough once the chances had been created.
“You win games like that if you take your chances. It’s not just about getting the first goal or anything like that - if you take your chances, you win the game, and unfortunately we were just lacking that cutting edge.”
County’s misery was compounded by a late red card for loanee Joe Leesley, who has endured a largely frustrating start to life at Edgeley Park since signing a three-month loan deal from parent club Harrogate Town last month.
Leesley appeared to have kickstarted his Hatters career with a superb showing in a 2-1 win over Hartlepool two weeks prior, but the left winger’s frustration seemed to boil over on Saturday with a late challenge which Gannon admitted ‘deserved’ the dismissal.
“Joe was late, there wasn’t enough impact to really hurt his opponent, but I’ve got no qualms. I thought it was a poor challenge.
“Things like that go back to players not being around our culture as a club for too long - I always say about no fouls and about the fair play that we uphold, and that’s something that the new boys need to adjust to. Joe can have no complaints.”
Another new boy in action in the defeat was striker Devante Rodney, who earned his first competitive start since a loan move from Salford City last week - after a goalscoring debut in last midweek’s friendly win over Trafford.
Gannon put the friendly together following the postponement of the scheduled National League clash with Dagenham & Redbridge the weekend prior, with Rodney opening the scoring in an eventual 3-1 win.
And the gaffer was optimistic about the pacy forward’s future role at Edgeley Park.
“You can see the threat that Devante offers. Right now, it’s just about finding the right position for him in the side, and seeing how he fits into our team.”