Central League: Second Division

  Dunipace 1 - 1 Blantyre Victoria  

In a game in which Dunipace played pretty well it was to be the most outrageous penalty decision by the inexperienced referee and not the opposition that would rob Dunipace of the 3 points.

With Dunipace leading through Marty Wright and the game fizzling out a high ball (about 30 feet in the air) floated across the box and out towards the corner flag where it ran out of play for a throw in. To say the cross was long would be an understatement

With the ball in the air, Michael Cullen and the forward were running into the penalty area, both looking up at the ball going over their heads and both coming from different directions in what could only be described as a 'comedy collision' that left both pole axed on the ground laughing.

That was, until the whistler pointed at the spot for a penalty!

In a game between two sides still looking towards the league titleit again threw into question the thinking behind the appointment of officials and with the referee's inspector left shaking his head in disbelief just like everyone else it will surely be a lesson learned for the young referee.

When the time comes to count the points at the end of the season, Dunipace will just have to hope that the loss of 3 points here as a result of that decision does not cost them the title.

 

UPDATE: With the league matches finished and the points counted, Blantyre won the league by a point over Dunipace. In fact, had they not got these two points late on they would not have been promoted. Thankfully Dunipace went up in any case, but it shows how good and bad fortune through the course of a season can change the final result!