Harrow Sport

Harrow Borough manager claims referee lost control of Hendon match

By Simon Mail

12:10pm Friday 3rd September 2010

Harrow Borough manager David Howell accused the referee of losing control in their 3-2 home defeat to Hendon on Monday.

Boro were leading 2-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining when visiting manager Gary McCann berated the referee for failing to give a penalty. The ref awarded two penalties in the space of the last ten minutes which sent Boro to their first home defeat of the season.

Howell said: "If it was anybody else on the pitch then they would have been given a yellow or red card. He [McCann] may have influenced or intimidated the referee to a degree. I think he put pressure on the ref and he lost control of the match."

Boro took the lead after goals from Troy Hewitt and Dean Marney but Howell was the first to admit his team were below par.

"We were fortunate to be 2-1 up but it was disappointing with the way we lost it," he said.

"We weren't really flowing and we did not have our normal rhythm. Everything was a struggle for us and we were stretched a little."

Howell made a number of changes to his side after their excellent 2-1 win at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

Danny McGonigle headed the visitors into the lead after 28 minutes and they doubled their advantage when Rocky Baptiste poked the ball home from close range. The hosts pulled one back but Boro, despite seeing Danny Leech sent off for two bookings, held on for their first win at Tonbridge.

Howell added: "It was a complete performance by us. We were disciplined and committed. It was a strong performance where we worked hard and thoroughly deserved the three points."

Boro travel to Cray Wanderers tomorrow afternoon.

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