Ref’s show upsets Haigh

Royton's Mike Moss breaks through

ROYTON Town manager Phil Haigh criticised the referee after his side lost to a solitary goal against Hindsford in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division at Glebe Street.

The only goal came from a hotly-disputed penalty on the hour mark when Town centre-back Christian Fraser was harshly adjudged to have brought down his opponent.

If anything, a free-kick should have been awarded in Town’s favour as it appeared as though Fraser was impeded before he made his challenge.

Haigh said: “I know how hard it must be for match officials and it isn’t often you will hear me having a go at them.

“But three decisions have cost us dearly in a game we should really have won.”

The other two decisions referred to by Haigh came late on in the game, the first in the 81st minute when Ryan Hulme’s header was disallowed after an infringement by Mike Moss.

That was followed by a penalty appeal which was waived aside when Fraser went down in the Hindsford box under a challenge.
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