DAN’S THE MAN!
Whitaker is spot on but referee leaves both managers fuming
TWO major incidents dominated the match featuring the National League’s top two teams, with opposing managers able to agree on one thing – this was by no means a classic! Macclesfield took the points to open up a six-point gap at the summit but while neither side were at their best referee Joe Johnson managed to infuriate both bosses. Sutton had been angered by Danny Whitaker’s penalty that ultimately settled the game while the Silkmen felt goalkeeper Shwan Jalal had been hard done by with a straight red card 25 minutes from time. “It was a very, very debatable penalty,” said United manager Paul Doswell, who was clearly fuming after a supporter allegedly punched their 70-year-old kitman during some unsavoury scenes at the end of the match. “I’d need to see it again but it looks like Whitaker’s dived into Kenny Davis, and that was the difference between the two sides. It wasn’t a great game, let’s be honest, for the top two sides the quality was bang average and it was a poor game unless you’re Macclesfield because they’ve got three points. “I don’t think they created much, we’ve hit the bar but we huffed and puffed in the second half but weren’t good enough to deserve three points. “We deserved one but it’s been a disappointing day and it’s a long journey home. It’s frustrating for us, but we’ve lost the game and we need to recover well for Monday.” Macc had been the better side in the first half, and scored what turned out to be the game’s only goal, Whitaker’s 10th-minute penalty, slotted in after the protracted protests had finally died down. The closest Sutton came in a poor first period for them, came via Craig Eastmond’s snap-shot from more than 30 yards which
had Jalal beaten but crashed back off the cross bar.
After the break Macc rarely looked troubled until, 65 minutes in, Jalal raced from his goal and sent Ross Lafayette tumbling, Mr Johnson deciding it was worth a dismissal for serious foul play.
But although the visitors pressed late in the day, they couldn’t breach the goal now patrolled by Sam Ramsbottom.
And although his side prepare to see in the new year from their lofty position Macc manager John Askey appeared equally unimpressed by the officials’ performance.
“It didn’t look like a red card to me, we will have to have a look at it but he seemed to take the ball,” said Askey, nursing a hamstring injury suffered when he lashed out in frustration at a loose ball. “I saw one of their players win a ball against one of ours – he won it but he had his studs up – then he sends our keeper off.
“It wasn’t a great game by any means but the red card galvanised us, it added excitement and got everybody behind us and the players responded. We’re six points clear going into 2018 and we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“When you’re playing teams fighting to get to league football it’s not going to be pretty at times, but you have to stand up and be counted.”