Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala believes the reaction from the Cambridge United bench was what led to Joe Gardner’s sending off yesterday.
The Imps picked up their second successive 1-1 draw in a tense afternoon at the LNER Stadium, this time against League One’s basement team. The home side dominated the early exchanges and thoroughly deserved their lead when Freddie Draper struck after 17 minutes.
Cambridge struggled to get a foothold in the game but found themselves level three minutes before the break. James Gibbons will be credited with the goal, but his strike took a wicked deflection to sail past Zach Jeacock in the Lincoln goal.
The second half was a far more tetchy affair. The U’s frustrated their hosts for long periods, leading to Skubala making a host of attacking changes. The last of those saw Joe Gardner handed his debut after joining on loan from Nottingham Forest in the 82nd minute. However, he lasted just four minutes before he was sent off for a lunging tackle on James Brophy.
Skubala Criticises Cambridge Bench
Replays showed that the red card was a harsh decision. The tackle happened just in front of the Cambridge dugout, sparking furious protests from the bench. It is this reaction which Skubala is convinced played a big part in Gardner receiving his marching orders. Speaking to Red Imps Club after the game, the 42-year-old said:
“There’s hardly anything in it. The poor kid has come on for his debut after two minutes, he’s made a tackle. I don’t think he’s even off the ground, he’s just got there late, and because their bench is up in arms, I think the referee gave him a red card.
“It’s a yellow card, no doubt about that, but it’s not a red card. If it’s over the other side of the pitch or in the middle of the pitch, it’s a yellow card.
“Because it’s near the bench and everyone is up in arms down in the corner there, he gives a red card.”
Writer’s View
There is absolutely no chance that this was a red card. Replays showed that Gardner never left the ground and it absolutely wasn’t a professional foul. There’s no doubt that the reaction from the Cambridge bench is what has caused the referee to make this decision. It was an appaling reaction too, with at least one coach entering the field of play. It would be a major surprise if this isn’t overturned.
