Ref ’s big calls were huge for Well: Hammell
Motherwell boss Steven Hammell reckons two big refereeing calls went against his side before they had Connor Shields sent off.
Hammell was not happy with Joe Newell’s robust challenge on Blair Spittal after revealing that the midfielder had been sent to hospital for checks after taking a blow to his ribs.
After initially continuing, Spittal was then forced off in the 23rd minute.
Hammell also believes referee Grant Irvine should have awarded his team a penalty in the 50th minute when Shields appeared to be caught inside the area in the build up to an attack.
Ironically, Shields was given his marching orders seven minutes later for hauling down Ryan Porteous in a last man challenge.
And the hosts made their numerical advantage count when Porteous then headed home the winner.
Hammell said: “We had a strong penalty claim. You watch it back and it is a penalty.
“Another one of the big moments of the match that didn’t go our way. Connor Shields turns the ball around the corner and gets taken out. But it didn’t go our way.
“I thought we played well. It’s been a tough week with three away games.
“We’ve come through them with a few problems. Blair Spittal had to go to hospital after a bad tackle.
“I didn’t think it was a particularly good challenge on him. There was a follow through and then another collision with his ribs and potentially other damage.
“Another big moment that went against us. We’ll regroup and will get better from it.”
Asked about Shields’ dismissal after Motherwell got caught on the counter, Hammell added: “I think we should deal with it better.
“Our set-up from corners changed slightly because Blair Spittal came off so it’s something we could have prevented at source. We could have done better there.
“I felt we deserved to take something from the game. In the first half there wasn’t much in it. I felt it was too open but we thought it was going to be an expansive game.
“We made a few tactical tweaks at halftime that we felt were working. We were in control but then a couple of big moments go against us.”