It’s tale of two controversial decisions for March Town boss Mel Mattless after the Hares’ unbeaten run is ended
March Town manger, Mel Mattless. - Credit: Archant
March Town saw their four-match unbeaten run come to a controversial end last Saturday.
Hares chief Mel Mattless was left frustrated by two major talking points in a 2-1 reverse at Whitton in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division.
He saw his side fall behind during a sub-standard first-half display before they had a stonewall penalty appeal ignored in the second period when Jack Brand was tripped in the box.
Brand then had a hand in their equaliser by delivering the corner that was headed home by David Jackson, but March suffered last-gasp agony when conceding again in the seventh minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Mattless admitted: “The penalty decision and the late goal – in a game where there were no injuries – left us feeling really aggrieved.
“You won’t see a more obvious spot-kick than when Jack was brought down. Even the Whitton management admitted it should have been a penalty.
“But we can’t just blame the referee for the result. We didn’t play anywhere near well enough in the first half, and we also missed a few really good chances at 1-1.
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“I wouldn’t have been too disappointed to draw, but I’m gutted to lose the game.”
The defeat was made all the more painful by a calf injury suffered by teenage frontman Rob Conyard in the closing stages.
He now faces a spell on the sidelines and skipper Max Mattless could join him after suffering a suspected broken toe in a Sunday game.
The Hares are also without Lewis Thompson when they entertain Team Bury tomorrow (3pm) in their final fixture before Christmas.
And Mattless Snr has challenged his players to bounce back in the best possible way by launching another smart run of results.
He added: “As frustrating and disappointing as the defeat at Whitton was, we can’t afford to dwell on it.
“I’m hopeful we’ll get a decent crowd and hopefully we can put in a 90-minute performance. We’ve got our Christmas do after the game and we want to be able to celebrate rather than have to drown our sorrows!”
