EVERY football team has been wronged on the pitch at some point in their history.
Be it a goal against allowed to stand even though the striker was two yards offside or a stonewall penalty that is waved away. Of course these occurrences happen, somewhere, every week.
It’s the decisions that come along once in a blue moon that really get the supporters’ goat. Take last week’s FA Cup replay between Bashley and Gosport Borough.
Evo-Stik Southern Premier Bash lost 3-2 after extra-time. But before that they had gone into a 3-2 lead themselves. Or so they thought.
James Stokoe’s effort had crossed the line only for Gosport keeper Nathan Ashmore to kick the ball through a hole in the net in frustration at conceding the goal. Referee Will Bull then awarded a corner.
Now this was clearly an unintentional mistake, albeit a grave one, from the match officials.
Bashley, managed by Frank Gray, are understandably annoyed that Gosport players didn’t own up, or let their visitors score from the resulting corner. According to manager Alex Pike, more than half a dozen of his players came to him saying it was unquestionably a goal. None of them told the ref.
Gray has previous in good sportsmanship. When he was in charge of Woking in 2007 he ordered his side to stand aside and allow Grays a free goal.
Gentlemanly acts restore our faith in a game that is often seen to be sinking further into a pit of despair particularly at the cash-rich levels where diving and faking is common practice.
A lot of people have been quick to criticise Gosport. “We wouldn’t want to win like that,” they say.
But can fans really preach the’holier than thou’ line? Would you really have the same feelings if it was your team benefitting? If it meant winning the league or getting one over your rivals?
Be honest now.
It’s easy to justify it in your mind. When Ukraine looked to have scored against England in Euro 2012 only for the officials to wave on play, thoughts immediately turned to South Africa.
At the 2010 World Cup Frank Lampard’s shot against Germany had clearly crossed the line but it wasn’t given. Two years later was payback for that, we told ourselves.
Sometimes it’s just too tempting to take the gift and keep schtum. A bit like Monopoly when the banker gives you too much change.
In an ideal world you’d give it back. But you know at some point in future the board game gods will deal you a bad hand.
And, especially in sport, we don’t live in an ideal world.
