Deveronvale failed to get 'crazy' penalty decision out of system for Inverurie Locos loss
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEVERONVALE manager Craig Stewart admitted his players failed to get a ‘crazy’ late penalty decision at Rothes out of their system before Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Inverurie Locos.
Having led 1-0 at Mackessack Park on Wednesday against the Speyside outfit, Vale were heading for a 1-1 draw and a creditable point when ref Joel Kennedy pointed to the spot deep into added time.
Stewart said he didn’t believe the decision was a mistake and instead suggested the referee was making up for an earlier mistake.
The penalty was duly converted and Rothes won 2-1, with Stewart sent off for his protests. The Vale boss admitted his side were well beaten by Inverurie on Saturday, with frustration still lingering.
“It definitely contributed,” he said. “The penalty decision that went against us was crazy, for me. Everybody makes mistakes. I didn’t think that was a mistake. I’ve got to question how a ref could come to the decision to give a penalty.
“None of the Rothes players appealed for it and neither management team thought it was a penalty. It was deflating because the boys put in a good shift.
“The video has been shared among referees and one or two have said that not only was it not a penalty but it could actually be a red card for Rothes.
“The two linesmen both said it wasn’t a penalty and the ref overruled them both.
“There was a decision 10 minutes earlier where he pulled play back for a free-kick when Rothes went on to put the ball in the net, although we had stopped. It seemed he was making up for that. The boys put in a big shift, at a difficult place to go, and were very, very unlucky not to take a point. We just have to hope it doesn’t make a difference to anything.
“We need to get over it and I don’t think we were on Saturday.”
Inverurie Locos went ahead in the third minute through Myles Gaffney and doubled their lead through Nathan Meres on the half-hour mark. Logan Johnstone was sent off for the home side, but that didn’t phase them and Gaffney added another on 53 minutes.
“I think the scoreline was a fair reflection,” Stewart admitted. “It was an uphill task after losing an early goal.
“With 10 men they controlled the game and we didn’t do enough to get anything out of the game.”
Vale welcome local rivals Buckie Thistle – who have just been drawn to play Celtic at Parkhead in the Scottish Cup – on Saturday.
“It doesn’t change anything from our point of view,” Stewart added.
“I’m more concerned about what we are doing – the focus is on us.”
