Injustice as Romans beaten in Chelmsford
Bath City’s three-match winning run came to an end on a controversial afternoon at Chelmsford. Manager Jerry Gill was left exasperated at two decisions from referee Steven Hughes which played a large part in the home side extending their unbeaten run against the Romans to eight matches. A rather uneventful game sprung to life on the stroke of half-time, when Chelmsford were awarded their fourth penalty in four matches, following on from 15 last season in the league. Robbie Cundy, already on a yellow card, was surprisingly shown a straight red having been adjudged to pull back Rhys Murphy in the box after the forward was left through on goal after some intricate passing from the Clarets. Murphy inevitably scored. There is a possibility Cundy will receive a one-match ban either way, but Jerry Gill didn’t see it as a foul at all. It preceded an incident with eight minutes remaining when Adam Mann was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, the ball found Joe Raynes who thundered home from 25 yards while the referee blew for the initial freekick. “I spoke to him [the ref] about the first one, he said Robbie leant on him,” Gill said. “I don’t know if the game’s changed maybe from when I played. “It’s really confused me. It’s not a red. Whether he’s even done enough to deserve a foul [is another matter], it looks to me like he’s struck the ball and gone off balance.” Gill added: “I’m just really frustrated that a third party has made a couple of decisions that has affected the result of the game. “I don’t mind if it’s a tactical switch or a good bit of play by an opposition manager or team. “A third party has managed to get a result for one team today, when it probably wasn’t deserved.” Jack Batten was diplomatic in assessing the situation. Cundy’s central defensive partner said: “I was quite close to it. I don’t think the referee necessarily made the right decision. “His hands were by his side from what I saw and their striker said he felt a clip on his heel.” Batten noticed further possible outside influences with the surface causing concern for the players. “I think they did something to the pitch. They kept the grass long, it was very dry, trying to break up our style of play. “I felt we dealt with it well. We kept on persisting, even with ten men.” Ryan Clarke escaped joining Cundy in the changing room when he was penalised for bringing down Murphy outside his penalty area soon after the break. The City stopper protested that he hadn’t made contact and was eventually shown a yellow card. But it was Raynes’ disallowed goal which added to the City chief’s anger. Gill said: “I’d be sat here now with a point if the referee has just allowed a split second in an attack when we caught them. “How can the referee say it’s a foul before Joe has taken the shot? He’s 18-20 yards out. It’s beyond me. “I’m absolutely astounded by it. They have to recognise that in an attacking option, when we’re about to shoot, let the game go for a split second. “That’s the one that’s really disappointed me. “It’s clear that Joe Raynes is about to strike the ball. It’s a great bit of play from us and it’s been taken away.” Sean Rigg’s resulting free-kick sailed narrowly wide. It was either side of Watkins rolling an effort just wide with Nathan Mcdonald appearing to get the slightest of touches to keep it out, and John Mills heading off target late on following Watkins’ surging run. Chelmsford had their chances on the break with substitute Scott Fenwick inexplicably side-footing wide late on with just Clarke to beat. But overall, City played some tidy football despite being a man light, and troubled Chelmsford, providing nervy moments for the home faithful, and Batten was impressed with his team’s efforts. “Strakes [Anthony Straker] came in after the sending off and we contained them quite well,” he said. “We played really well in the first half, getting in behind them and causing some problems. “I think we did the same second half which is a credit to us. We really made them work for it. “It’s always a tough place to come here, not many teams will pick up points; they’re very good at home. “But I think we were very unlucky to go home with nothing.”