In one of the lower-key matches yesterday, Rochdale overcame League Two side Carlisle at Spotland to advance to the next stage of the EFL Cup.
Aaron Morley and Matt Done gave the home side a 2-0 lead which proved to be enough to see off the Cumbrians. Jack Bridge netted a 71st-minute penalty to give the visitors hope, but it wasn’t enough.
Carlisle boss Steven Pressley was not a happy man after the game though, accusing the EFL of showing his side disrespect with their referee appointment.
“I’m going to speak to the refereeing association tomorrow [Wednesday], because I’m not satisfied,” the Scot told the News and Star.
“There’s a couple of things that frustrate me. Since the new VAR system has come into play, they’ve promoted the referees from lower to higher, and then promoted the non-league [referees from] the National League, to our league.
“Do we not matter? Do decisions against my team not affect me, do decisions about things not affect livelihoods? It’s disrespectful what they’ve done in the game, because I think we’re suffering. I think the refereeing is of a bad standard in this moment.”
He believed his side had a solid shout for a second penalty, but Peter Wright waved away the appeals which would have given the Cumbrians a chance to level.
“A hundred per cent they got it wrong, I cannot understand for the life of me how he doesn’t give it,” Pressley said. “I’ve been into the referee’s room to speak to them on it.”
Referee Peter Wright is not a first-year official, he’s in his second year as a Football League referee.
Our View
These things happen in football and although it’s frustrating, what is the alternative? When referees are openly criticised in the media and berated by players looking to get an advantage, unfair or otherwise, we’re always going to see a lack of fresh talent coming through.
Pressley might well be angry, but it’s easy to blame a referee. His side battled well yesterday, but they had less possession, fewer shots (albeit by one) and made fewer passes.
They should be proud of running a League One side close, not moaning about a decision that didn’t go their way.
