The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Penalty reverse ensures Thomson is no Buddie of Lennon
St Mirren manager Danny Lennon criticised referee Craig Thomson for overturning a penalty decision in his side’s 1-0Premiership defeat by Motherwell and claimed the incident was indicative of the bad luck that is coming the way of the Buddies.
Former St Mirren attacker John Sutton headed the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, and despite the home side enjoying large periods of possession, it was the visitors who carved out the clearer opportunities after the break, with Shaun Hutchinson heading against the crossbar and David Cornell saving well from a one-on-one with Henri Anier.
However, it was Thomson’s decision to award St Mirren a penalty before changing his mind with the game still goalless that drew Lennon’s ire.
Conor Newton burst through the Motherwell defence before being tripped a yard outside of the penalty area by Keith Lasley, but Thomson immediately pointed to the spot.
This provoked furious protests from the Fir Park men, and after consultation with assistant Alan Mulvanny, the referee overturned his original decision.
To compound Lennon’s frustration , Danny Grainger put the resulting free kick into the back row of the away support from the edge of the area.
“I felt that both the referee and the assistant looked very confident in the decision that they had originally made, and once a group of Motherwell players showed their frustration to the assistant the decision changed,” Lennon said.
“I’ve never come across that inmy time involved in management or playing, so that’s frustrating for us, and that seems to be the luck we’re not getting just now.”
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall took time to back his StMirren counterpart.
“St Mirren have got a good group of players. They’ve got good experienced players and they’ve got good young players, and you’re only ever one game away from turning it around,” said McCall.
“I’m sure Danny, Tommy (Craig) and the players will stick at itandthey’re a good group, nodoubt, so it’s a big win for us.”