Derek Adams has spoken out about a key decision which could have cost Morecambe a vital first win of the season.
The Shrimps recorded their third consecutive draw against Notts County on Saturday with Lee Angol’s effort cancelled out by Matty Platt in the final stages of the game in Lancashire. However, fine margins cost Morecambe from potentially picking up a maximum haul.
Jamie Stott hammered his effort from close range towards the County net with David McGoldrick clearing the ball. Despite protestations from the home side, the referee and the linesman and were left unconvinced and continued play.
Speaking to the press following the match, Adams discussed the incident, revealing that players from both sides believed it was a goal. He said (Quotes via Lancaster Guardian): “The players tell us they thought the ball was over the line but the assistant says he didn’t see it.
“The Notts County players told our lads they thought it was a goal and Jamie is convinced it was too.
“That has summed up our season really with a lot of big decisions not going for us, which has hampered our progress.”
It is not the first time that the Scottish manager has been critical of the official’s decision-making, with him making similar comments just this week ahead of the game against the Magpies. Adams was sent off during their game against Colchester United, forcing him to watch from a far when Morecambe lined up against Fleetwood Town.
On that occasion, he questioned the role of the fourth official, adding: “It’s one of those things where, if they look at it and look at how the game’s advanced over the years, fourth officials have caused a bigger problem when being on the side of the pitch than being an advantage.
“We can all pick up a numbers board for subs – as we did years ago – but I don’t see it being changed now.
“What was wrong in my instance was the fourth official made his way into my technical area to collect a ball, to return it and put it back into play.
“We can’t do that but the fourth official isn’t supposed to get involved in that either.”
Despite the controversy, Morecambe lifted themselves to within touching distance of escaping the bottom two following Carlisle United‘s loss to Grimsby Town. They welcome Adams’ former club Bradford City to Lancashire tomorrow, hoping to inflict more pain on the club following last season’s triumph at home as well as their loss to Harrogate Town on Saturday.
Reflecting on the performance his side showed against Notts County, the 49-year-old concluded: “In terms of our performance, I thought we were excellent and created a lot of chances but just couldn’t get that second goal.
“We worked hard on how we would set up during the week and it worked well. From the start of the game, we pressed Notts County all over the pitch.
“Their back three have had time and space to play on the ball for the whole season and won games because of that.
“When teams go up against them, then they find it difficult to find plan B and that was the case today.
”We had players with legs, who could cause them problems, and I really believe we deserved to win.”
Writer’s View
Derek Adams is usually outspoken against the referee’s decisions this season and yet again he finds himself at the brunt of their choices. Adding goal-line technology has been a long-standing point with managers in League One and Two, with Nigel Clough recently raising the point in February after Mansfield Town lost to Walsall due to a similar decision. With the revenue deal coming in from Sky Sports this season, perhaps now should be the time to act and give the entire Football League the same technology.
Morecambe will yet again be pleased with what they have seen. It was another gutsy performance they could have won and are now picking up points slowly but surely. Bradford City play them next and after their disappointing performance against Harrogate, and Adams’ past exploits in beating The Bantams, they will fancy their chances to end their wait for three points this season.
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