‘There’s no way it was handball’ is one of the things said by a fuming Weymouth boss as he plans to appeal Saturday’s red card decision.
The Terras manager Brian Stock was frustrated by the decision to send Ollie Harfield off for what the referee deemed as a deliberate handball in a 4-0 National League defeat at Chesterfield.
Stock’s comment comes after the club watched back video footage of the incident, with Harfield, stationed on the line when Saidou Khan lashed a shot towards goal, hitting his opponent and lead to a penalty and the Weymouth player’s dismissal.
Kabongo Tshimanga scored the spot-kick and added a second before half time, completing his hattrick just before the hour mark after rounding keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Khan then grabbed a deserved goal to make it 4-0, putting more misery on the away side’s afternoon, with the result putting Weymouth in 18th place, but Stock was adamant the punishment of Harfield, whose 100th Weymouth game ended miserably, was unwarranted.
Asked whether he felt the handball was deliberate, he told Echosport: “No, not at all.
“I’ve spoken to the referee after the game. He’s sticking with his decision.
“We’ve managed to have the pleasure of seeing the handball back and there’s no way it was handball whatsoever.
“He’s deemed it to be a handball, which has then coincided with a red card. That’s the rule.
“For us, we’ll look back on it and maybe look to appeal it. From our angle and what we’ve seen it’s almost impossible for Ollie not to get out of the way. His arm’s by his side.”
Asked on what Harfield had said post-match, Stock added: “Similar, really. It’s not deliberate, he’s kept his arms by his side.
“The force with which it’s hit him, it’s the top part of his chest, slash arm.”
Weymouth could appeal the red card, according to Stock.
“I need to confirm one or two things with the rules and regulations in how we appeal,” he said.
“It’s definitely a good case. It’s just the consequences if there isn’t.”
Analysing the goals, Stock said: “The first one, we worked all week on their movement and directness.
“As a back four we were very disjointed which led to the goal. Second one we’ve given away a free-kick. They’ve delivered it into a great area and we’ve not followed up the rebound.
“The third goal, a poor clearance from Tom Bearwish – who, by the way, worked extremely hard and never gave up.
“It’s gone straight into the path of Tshimanga who’s basically rolled it into the net.
“The fourth you have to give them credit. They peppered our goal for the second half and although it was 4-0 it could’ve been more.
“We never gave up, stood strong and did reduce them to chances outside the box. We defended well but we need to move on quickly.”
Fans reacted as a fuming Weymouth boss plans to appeal the red card decision…
“For me it’s not a deliberate handball”
Weymouth manager Brian Stock felt the sending off was a harsh decision#Terras were reduced to ten men in the first half as they suffered a heavy defeat at Chesterfield
Listen to his reaction, he’s been speaking to @CliffPledge 🔊👇 pic.twitter.com/VWolntyY6i
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) November 13, 2021
I was told once that one of the hardest things I’ll ever do is commentate on your team while they get stuffed. Today I found out how true that was. But @theterras gave everything today. I felt @ollie_harfield was really unlucky, he can’t chop his arm off. The lads will go again!
— Ben Ashelford (@BenAshelford1) November 13, 2021
A harsh decision which consequently made it a very long afternoon for the boys. A frustrating way to make my 100th appearance for the club. We will bounce back… Credit to the fans for making the long trip. @theterras https://t.co/fmx7oDxo5E
— Ollie Harfield (@ollie_harfield) November 13, 2021
@jjg_004: The guy basically caught the ball 😂😂
@robslat66267580: WHAT, harsh, he made a save Ross would have been proud off, handled it on the line 🤷♂️ managers when things that don’t go there way 🙄
@sonnycrock731: ‘changed the game‘? They could have played with 12 men and we’d still have beat em..
@c4my4t: Is he for real?
@JoelFantom: The bloke stood on the line and palmed it away 😭😭😭
@dpearsoncfc: Harsh?!? He handballed it on the line 😂
@jamesmertH: Was it deliberate, pleading his innocence walking off.
@benjaminKghm: Definitely
@jamesmertHL Joke of a decision, what you meant to do with your hands/arms other than have them in a natural position. Onwards & upwards 🙌🙌🙌
@1AndyPurchase: Just seen the highlights. That was very harsh Ollie. You couldn’t avoid the handball. A pen for sure, but the red card was unnecessary. Game was over for us from that point.
@lamps180: Very harsh sending off. Unlucky Ollie. Congrats on your 100th appearance
@whu75: The refs in this league seem to get worse each week.
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