FUMING KEWELL BLASTS THE REF
AFURIOUS Harry Kewell accused the referee of ruining his side’s game with Grimsby Town after ten-man Barnet fell to a dramatic defeat at Blundell Park.
The Bees had looked to be on course for their first win of the season when they went 3-1 up in the second half, with goals from Serhat Tasdemir, Mason Bloomfield and Joe Widdowson seeing them go ahead after John McAtee’s early penalty.
The game was turned on its head shortly after though, with Josh Doherty sent off for handball as McAtee pulled another back from the spot, with Kewell also seeing red for his protests on the sidelines.
Ryan Taylor drew the hosts level with a superb diving header before Alex Hunt completed the Mariners’ turnaround with a brilliant free-kick deep into stoppage time to send the home crowd into raptures.
Kewell though was far from happy, and blamed referee Daniel Middleton for his side’s downfall as their wait for a win continues.
“I’m disappointed, absolutely disappointed,” Kewell said. “I felt we were the better team from the get-go, from the first half to the second half, but when you come up against decisions that are totally ridiculous, it just doesn’t help.
“The referee helped them today. We played all over them in the first half, and the referee was probably upset.
“He gave a penalty in the first half which for the life of me I just don’t understand, and then the second one, Josh has said it hit him in his armpit.
“I can’t fault my players today, they were excellent, it’s just a shame that the ref ruined it.”
For Grimsby boss Paul Hurst though, it was a thrilling way for his side to continue their unbeaten start to the season, even if he’d rather enjoy a calmer afternoon.
“I don’t think you’re going to get too many more exciting games for the fans. Seven goals, twists one way and another,” Hurst said.
“We did well early on in the game, and then fell 3-1 behind after starting the second half well again, but you always felt we were still in it.
“I’m not saying I was stood on the sideline thinking we’d win 4-3, but I didn’t think we were totally out of it with the way we were playing.
“However, you can’t give goals away like we did and expect to be successful on a regular basis.
“The fans want to be entertained, and I’m sure they have been. I want us to entertain to a degree, but not in that manner.
“I don’t think there’s many of us that would survive a season like that!”