Wells City boss frustrated with red cards in Radstock Town defeat

Wells City manager Mark Read was critical of the officials and the assessing process following his side's 4-1 defeat at home to local rivals Radstock Town.

The Blues had two players red carded either side of half-time and Read questioned whether the same decisions would have been made had an assessor not been present at the game.

"I feel there is unnecessary pressure put on referees by assessors," he said.

"We have had this young referee [Cameron Lucas] before and in fairness he is very good, yet today you feel because of the pressure he was under, he had to give a red card and it seems unnecessary pressure spoilt what was likely to be a good game.

"We have had this in the past and he is a great referee and he has let the game flow and he is highly respected.

"The second red card I have to say is stupidity from our player, I could argue the referee didn't actually see the incident, I don't even know what the linesman saw, but they have come to a conclusion and we are ultimately disappointed with the player."

The game itself got off to a bright start and it was the visitors who took the lead on ten minutes with a well-worked goal against a static Wells defence.

Tom Pawley made the most of the opportunity given to him as the Wells back-line failed to track their runners and he cut inside a defender before lifting the ball into the far corner.

City were soon back on level terms when Jake Brown was brought down in the Radstock penalty area and Lee Pitman scored from the spot.

The home side then took control as Nathan Rendle sent an effort against the crossbar and Charlie Crook lifted an effort over from eight yards.

The game changer came just before half-time when James Batchelor threw a boot back to one of the Radstock players following a tackle and the referee deemed it to be deserving of a red card.

Wells were then reduced to nine men early in the second half for an alleged headbutt by Scott Saunders and from that moment the game became almost like a training session for the visitors, especially as they were awarded a penalty on the hour for a foul on Aiden Kirby by Mike Grist.

Kirby scored the spot-kick and, although the home side fought tooth and nail to the final whistle, they conceded two more goals.

Kirby who added his second on 80 minutes and, in the final moments, Ryan Child found a gap in the centre of the Wells defence to slot home a fourth Radstock goal.

On Saturday, Wells City host Chippenham Park.

Read more at http://www.wellsjournal.co.uk/Wells-City-boss-frustrated-red-cards-Radstock/story-28011299-detail/story.html#smqMMtx6RDqlTs2w.99