‘Injustice’ – Torquay take issue at being denied two clear penalties in draw with St Albans

‘Injustice’ – Torquay United take issue at being denied two clear penalties in the 1-1 draw with St Albans on Saturday.

Footage has surfaced online, getting thousands of views with many baffled as to the officials decision making in the National League South fixture.

As the first half was coming to an end, Cody Cooke try to header Dan Hayfield’s free kick, only for the ball to strike a St Albans defender’s outstretched hand. Torquay appealed, only for it to be turned away from the referee.

The Gulls pushed for a late winner, only to see St Albans captain San Deadfield with a tackle on Omar Mussa rather than being able to get the ball. The ref waved play on. Mussa was stretchered off.

This is somehow not a penalty….. pic.twitter.com/10Iv84TqN9

— TORQUAYTALK (@TORQUAYTALK) September 21, 2024

Different angle
Stonewall. pic.twitter.com/twGJm7Cuv8

— Jamie (@donttakethepeas) September 21, 2024

Paul Wotton said, per Devon Live: “How can you not feel an injustice? From the very first minute, their left back kicks the ball straight out of play and he gives them a throw in to them. I thought it set a precedent for the whole game. It’s a handball, first half, it’s a penalty on Omar and I don’t want to be that manager that comes on here and bemoans officials – but…

“It was poor play from us to concede a goal, I will always put my hands up to do what we do wrong. First half it was a pretty dour game to be honest, there was always going to be that little bit of apprehension from us after last week’s fixture.

“Going in a nil-nil I thought was great. Second half we upped the tempo and started coming into the game, we score our goal. The turning point in the game was their player getting sent off, I didn’t have a great view of that but Ed’s eye is not good at all.

“And then it’s just wave after wave of attack … and I was pretty confident we were going to get something. Our finishing was poor, I didn’t think our finishing was great – and then it’s a penalty. Everyone in here who saw it thought it was a penalty but the one guy, the most important guy, didn’t think it was.”

He adds: “Football is a frustrating game,” said Wotton. “But nine games, where are we? Fifth in the league or something, it’s a good start. I’ll say it again, we know where we have got to get better. We have got to get better. But I am proud of them today, I am proud of them. I wasn’t proud of them last week. I am the first one to have a go at them when they are bad, and I am the first one to praise them and I was proud of their work rate today.”

TORQUAY: 1. James Hamon, 2. Finley Craske (8. Roddy Collins, 90+7′), 3. Jay Foulston, 5. Sam Dreyer, 7. Lirak Hasani (22. Will Jenkins Davies, 61′), 9. Ben Seymour (11. Brad Ash 87′), 14. Matt Carson, 16. Ed Palmer (17. Finn Tonks 69′), 18. Oscar Threlkeld (c), 19. Cody Cooke, 20. Dan Hayfield (10. Omar Mussa, 74′).

Yellow Card: Cooke 19′, Dreyer 64′, Jenkins Davies 90+8′

Goals: Seymour 50′

ST ALBANS: 1. Michael Johnson, 2. Jack James, 5. Dan Bowry, 6. David Longe-King, 8. Alfie Payne, 9. Shaun Jeffers, 11. Zane Banton, 14. Josh Castiglione (10. Romeo Akinola, 87′), 18. Sam Deadfield (c), 20. Giorgio Rasulo, 31. Phil Chinedo.

SUBS NOT USED: 25. Marlow Gough, 27. Kieran Gauthier, 28. James Bone, 29. Nick Ralfe.

Yellow Card: James 73′, Johnson 90+9′

Red Card: Banton 64′

Goals: Banton 56′

Attendance: 3,278 (35 away)

Here’s how fans reacted as Torquay take issue at being denied two clear penalties in the draw with St Albans…

@NickMiller5: Who was the ref for the Torquay v St Albans match.. they need reporting… how is this not a penalty, some massive incorrect decisions throughout the game. Worst referring I have ever seen seen. #nationalleague #FA #tufc

@ryangarrett21: Oh my good god hahahhahaa

@LivoAaron: We’re St Albans City, We’re taking the piss🎶😘

@Winstanley_74: Looking at it, i still don’t quite understand that not only the ref, but even the linesman didn’t even see that and it was right in front of him! We’ve had some very very poor officials before but that is up there with the worst i’ve seen at Plainmoor! Disgusting!

@ethanbaker1999: My god & now he’s on a stretcher after being down for 15 odd mins

@barnabynickels: The worst refereeing performance I have ever seen. And that decision sums it up.

@TUFletC: Absolute madness

@SamTQ4T: Just how?!?

@gullssinceaboy: Shocking decision. Once again the National League gives us a referee chosen from the panel of people who think they are refs at a nearby Wetherspoons.

@Byehorse: No lie in for Wotton tomorrow. Early phone call. “Hi Paul, I’m sorry I missed the pen. My lino sends his apologies too. But I was right to book Dreyer for telling me I needed to send the St Albans player off for smashing Palmer with his elbow.” SO JUST SEND HIM OFF THEN. TWAT!