RDFC 0 Yeovil 1

[Olly]

Knew the ref was going to overturn the lino's decision as soon as he went over, at the time I wasn't sure but I felt the player hadn't interfered but from what people who saw it properly said it sounds like yes we've been cheated which is pretty gutting especially after how we played at some points in the first half, really thought it was going to be our day but it wasn't to be, should be interesting to see the incident again though.

[Olly]

Joe Day's opinion on the incident

http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsD ... 22,00.html

[Pete]

It looks like we're going to have to piece together the ref's opinion on this, as he's done the spineless thing and not gone public on why he gave the decision. It looked even worse on the replay last night, and to rub salt into the wound, off the back of the highlights Matt Smith said something like "common sense prevailing there... kind of". Common sense... to ignore the laws?

So, Bowditch put his hand up to admit to everyone in the ground he was in an offside position. This is the first issue, and I think it's clear he was offside. Second, and the vital part - was he interfering with play? As I understand it, interfering with play is if something happens that wouldn't have happened had you not been there. Joe Day's interview suggests this ref's interpretation of the law is that a player is only interfering with play if he touches the ball. I believe this to be an incorrect interpretation, and there are numerous examples to back this up.

Furthermore, O'Connor's interview with BBC Radio Northampton mentioned the ref said to him something along the lines of "read the laws", suggesting that the Rushden players, staff, and fans have all got it wrong. Now, I might well have this wrong, but I cannot help but feel that the ref has made a big mistake.

One final thing, serious respect to JE for not talking to the press last night. While they should have been told much earlier to save them hanging around the tunnel area wasting their time, JE knew he would have said something bad, and he also knew that the FA would have come down like a tonne of bricks on him, as they always do on the smaller team, and rarely do on the bigger ones. As someone else has said, we can now simply hope that Yeovil get a horrible away draw this lunchtime.

[BartonRaz]

Yes i heard that too and it wound me up beyond belief.

If those genuiinely are the rules then on tuesday O'Connor should spend the whole game infront of the keeper, on his toes. As long as he doesnt touch the ball its fine, right?

[Hayden]

what o'connor was suggesting in his interview was spot on. the ref suggested that if you don't touch the ball whilst in an offside position thats fine. So does that mean our striker can go and stand infornt of their goalkeeper the whole game waving his arms infront of the goalkeeper's face so he cant't see and when a shot comes in, if the striker doesn't touch it thats fine? Of course, not another referee will give that offside all day long :roll:

[wewantourdarbyback]

what o'connor was suggesting in his interview was spot on. the ref suggested that if you don't touch the ball whilst in an offside position thats fine. So does that mean our striker can go and stand infornt of their goalkeeper the whole game waving his arms infront of the goalkeeper's face so he cant't see and when a shot comes in, if the striker doesn't touch it thats fine? Of course, not another referee will give that offside all day long :roll:

Another advantage to that - keeper gets pissed off after a little while, punched Aaron, gets sent off.

Not that I advocate trying to get players sent off...

[Sam Gregory]

So, Bowditch put his hand up to admit to everyone in the ground he was in an offside position. This is the first issue, and I think it's clear he was offside. Second, and the vital part - was he interfering with play? As I understand it, interfering with play is if something happens that wouldn't have happened had you not been there. Joe Day's interview suggests this ref's interpretation of the law is that a player is only interfering with play if he touches the ball. I believe this to be an incorrect interpretation, and there are numerous examples to back this up.

If the referee really has said that the only way you can be interfering with play is if you touch the ball, then that is scary. How can a referee be allowed to take charge of a match, at any level, if he clearly doesn't know the rules? I qualified as referee last year and even i know that there are three ways you can be offside;
1."Interfering with play"- which means playing or touching the ball touched or passed by a team-mate.
2. "Interfering with an opponent" - means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, decieves or distracts an opponent.
3. "Gaining an advantage by being in that position" - means playing a ball that rebounds to him, either off the post or crossbar or an opponent.

If think it's quite clear that Bowditch, by being directly infront of Joe and dummying the ball, clearly decieved and distracted him so there is no doubt that he is offside in my opinion.

[Superhans]

saw the highlights show last night the camera angle didnt do it much justice but it still looked bad!!
as for matt smith what a knob...he aint got a clue anyway hes just a script monkey!!!

as o conner said he should just spend the rest of the season standing in front of keepers waving his arms about as long as he doesnt touch the ball, its fully within the laws of the game!!!!

[Superhans]

2. "Interfering with an opponent" - means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, decieves or distracts an opponent.

thats excactlly how i understand it and have never seen a better example of this than yesterdays goal.

just been on the yeovil board and they seem to think its all sour grapes.
if we are beaten by better football or a momment of brilliance then fair play but anyone with half a brain can see we have been well and truely mugged!!

[RiK2006]

The club need to sue the referee for loss of earnings. He's made a mistake that's cost the club money, lets take him and the FA to court.