Bradford City manager Graham Alexander believes the referee made the correct call when he failed to award a penalty on Birmingham City’s Jay Stansfield last night.
The Bantams made the trip to the West Midlands hoping to upset the odds against League One leaders Birmingham in the EFL Trophy semi final. A trip to Wembley was the prize on offer and the Blues had to be patient to break down their League Two opposition.
They finally found a way through in first half added time when Stansfield broke the deadlock. However, disaster struck for the multi-million pound striker just seven minutes into the second half.
The former Fulham youngster landed awkwardly under the challenge of Bradford defender Romoney Crichlow, prompting loud protests from the home support. Stansfield remained in a heap in the opposing penalty area as the visitors broke swiftly to equalise through Bobby Pointon.
The England under-21 international received lengthy treatment after the goal which eventually led to him being stretchered off and taken to hospital. Birmingham secured the victory in the dying stages through Lyndon Dykes.
Alexander Praises Referee
Birmingham fans were incensed that they didn’t receive a penalty for the challenge on Stansfield, more so that Bradford scored in the immediate aftermath. However, Alexander believes it was the correct decision. Speaking after the game, he said:
“No chance. I thought it was body contact.
“Rom got his body in between him and the ball and he (Stansfield) went down.
“To be fair to the ref, I thought he was excellent. He was under intense pressure all night to give decisions that weren’t really there.
“Not for one minute did I think he was going to give it because I didn’t think it was a penalty.”
Writer’s View
It’s one of those decisions where you are convinced it is a penalty if it is against your team but convinced otherwise if it isn’t. The injury to Stansfield perhaps makes the challenge look worse than it was. There was certainly a coming together, but it is more the way the attacker landed. Still, Birmingham will feel they got justice when they bagged a late winner and secured their spot at Wembley.
