Derek Adams sounded his displeasure following the decision to dismiss Morecambe striker Lee Angol in their loss to Colchester United.
The former Lincoln City forward was given his marching orders by referee Sam Purkiss during the first half for a challenge on Ellis Iandolo. The man advantage The U’s were given helped propel them to all three points in the game courtesy of Mandela Egbo in the second half.
Adams Disagrees With Verdict
Speaking to the media following the defeat which left The Shrimps bottom of League Two after Carlisle United‘s win over Fleetwood Town, Adams believed that the referee had got the decision wrong. He said: (Quotes via The Gazette)
“We’ve looked at the footage and it’s not a sending off – it’s two players going for the ball.
“The referee has chosen to send him off. It wasn’t the linesman, it was the referee.
“Sam Purkiss was the referee here the last time we both met and he sent off James Connolly in the first half as well.
“They were timewasting at the end, they were kicking the balls off the marker and getting booked for that.
“I got booked because I called it embarrassing because a player who in the dying stages of the game kicks the ball off the marker, when we’re down to ten men.
“If that’s the state of football, then that’s the way it is.”
Writer’s View
Lee Angol had an intention to get the ball but was somewhat impeded by Ellis Iandolo and as a result struck the former Swindon Town man. It is a very poor decision from the referee to send him off and as a result, that has cost Morecambe dearly in this game. Of course, a red card does not guarantee a loss, as seen in this exact fixture last season when The Shrimps defeated Colchester and some blame can be put on their performance in the rest of the game. It will be interesting to see if Morecambe do appeal this as Adams said the finances may play a factor into that decision.
