Ballinamallard United Manager, Whitey Anderson, barks order from the sideline during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to champions Cliftonville
The controversial sending off of Ballinamallard goalkeeper Alvin Rouse after just 16 minutes turned this tight game on its head.
Ferney Park manager Whitey Anderson was fuming with the decision.
“Alvin came out and cleary got his fingertips to the ball diverting it away before his momentum carried him into Cliftonville’s Joe Gormley. The referee sends him off because he says he denied the Cliftonville player a goal scoring opportunity. It is a ludicrous decision. What does he want him to do – make the save, stand up and not collide with Gormley. The keeper had to make the save and did and the momentum carried both player into each other”
“Then after receiving treatment Gormley was allowed to remain on the pitch ‘in the interest of sport’ ” said Anderson.
The Ballinamallard manager pointed out that earlier winger Chris Curran got away without a booking after a reckless tackle in the opening five minutes.
“He didn’t book him, saying he gave him the benefit of the doubt. But he didn’t give Alvin Rouse the benefit of the doubt and sent him off.
“These referees are well paid, but they don’t seem to care about the supporters, the players, the management or the clubs who work so tirelessly to raise funds.
“That game was dead after 10 minutes. They really have to take a look at this. People pay good money to watch these fixtures and if he was in any doubt then he should not have made it a 10 v 11 game,” said Anderson.
Cliftonville manager Tommy Breslin said, “I many cases when the goalkeeper is sent off it’ still a live contest, but we were fortunate then that Joe Gormley scores from the free kick and in many ways it was a double punishment.”
However, he admitted he never felt it was over until they scored their second, insurance goal.
There had been little between the sides before the Rouse red card incident and there is no doubt Rouse’s sending off completely changed the game in favour of the Reds.
Anderson, though, said he was extremely proud of his players on Saturday.
“Two nil down at half time and we could have got ourselves back into it. The boys had organisation, shape, commitment and desire and couldn’t have done more after we were up against it.”
“There were positives to come out of the game for us. These are a group of players who won’t lie down and that’s the way we will go forward
“These players should be extremely proud of their performance,” said the Ballinamallard manager.