The controversial offside call last Saturday was so shockingly inaccurate that it raises questions about how the assistant referee could have made such an error. It also makes you wonder if the referee was paying enough attention to overrule the decision. Every Wednesday, our Torquay United correspondent, Richard Hughes, shares his unique take on the latest with the Gulls in the Herald Express. This week, he’s focusing on the all-too-familiar topic of officiating mishaps.
Young striker Keke Jeffers seemed to have a dream debut for Torquay United when he headed the ball into the net, a goal everyone in Plainmoor—including the Tonbridge Angels players—thought would seal the victory. Jeffers, who joined on loan from Stoke City, didn’t start the game due to travel fatigue but was subbed in for the final 15 minutes, with manager Paul Wotton hoping he’d provide the finishing touch the team had struggled to find all season. Torquay has faced a scoring drought in the first 15 games, and Wotton needed fresh options upfront. While Cody Cooke has managed six goals, the other forwards, including Brad Ash, have had a tough time creating sparks, with Ben Seymour even missing out on the bench in recent games. Jeffers didn’t touch the ball until his header, but he had won a free kick just before that by drawing a foul from the opposition.
As Jordan Young sent in a precise free kick, Jeffers darted in for a spectacular diving header, seemingly sealing the match. But the dream was shattered when the goal was disallowed for offside, a decision that later video evidence would show to be clearly incorrect, as Jeffers was onside by a significant margin, outpacing at least four Tonbridge players. It was a magical goal that wasn’t meant to be. Even the Tonbridge supporter sitting nearby shook his head in disbelief, seemingly relieved by the officiating blunder that earned his team a draw.
Unfortunately, this was only one of several contentious calls that night. Matt Carson had charged into the box and was knocked down by a clumsy defender in what looked like a clear penalty. The crowd and players shouted for the spot-kick, but the referee waved play on, ignoring the incident. This decision, like the offside, was a source of frustration, especially as Torquay’s opponents were fighting hard for any point they could get.
Paul Wotton, dismayed but more frustrated than disappointed, expressed his growing exasperation with the officiating. Despite his usual reluctance to criticize referees, he couldn’t hide his irritation after yet another questionable decision, one that would contribute to his suspension. When Dom Mee suggested the old idea that bad calls tend to balance out over a season, Wotton’s laugh said it all—such balancing seems out of reach this season.
So, what are we learning from these numerous poor decisions? Are we simply facing inadequate officiating at this level? While it’s tempting to blame the officials outright, it’s worth remembering that these referees operate in the sixth tier of English football, where the officiating standards aren’t always what fans might hope. Perhaps these frustrating moments are the price we pay for playing at this level of the pyramid.
Writing a midweek column after a weekend like this is never easy, especially with another game looming on Tuesday night and the possibility of more controversial calls to come. With the way things have been going, it’s no stretch to expect further officiating headaches this season. Wotton, who vowed earlier in the season not to be the manager who complains about officiating, might find that resolution harder to keep with each passing game.
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