Richie Wellens blasts officials after Swindon go down to Northampton

Posted Wednesday, August 21, 2019 by PA

Swindon manager Richie Wellens blasted the officials after his side were knocked off the top of League Two following a 1-0 defeat at home to Northampton.

Former Swindon striker Andy Williams crashed a half-volley in off the inside of the near post after 67 minutes but was clearly offside as the ball reached his feet.

It led to lengthy complaints from Swindon players, management staff and fans.

An angry Wellens said: “I need to be careful with what I say, we will probably see the same linesman refereeing next week.

“They are not good enough – they are not good enough to make consistent decisions.

“To say the Northampton player didn’t touch the ball from the goal kick, it is so blatantly obvious that everyone stopped.

“I do not want to keep harping on, but it is not good enough.

“At Colchester in the Carabao Cup, their lad headed the ball out but they won a corner and Colchester scored from the corner.

“The fourth official said to me, ‘it is only a corner’, but it was a corner that led to the goal.”

Swindon would have been level in the 73rd minute had Adam May kept his shot from about 12 yards down as it instead flew over the bar, as Northampton clung onto their lead.

Lloyd Isgrove and Jordan Turnbull shot over and wide respectively for each side in the first half while Jordan Lyden had a header well tipped over the bar by Northampton’s David Cornell in the second.

Tyler Reid and Michael Doughty also came close to levelling for the hosts. Reid had an effort deflected wide and Doughty’s last-gasp free-kick went over.

Northampton manager Keith Curle praised his side’s defensive organisation and also said his faith in match-winner Williams had been repaid.

Curle said: “It was good organisation, good shape, and a good game plan.

“I think a lot of people would’ve questioned starting Andy Williams after Saturday, but we can all make mistakes, we can all miss a chance, but then within it, there’s an understanding of a role and a willingness to work.

“He earned his goal today.

“Andy Williams is going to do the most miles and most of the work he’s going to do is going to be without reward.

“But what he’s going to do is make their play predictable and him being willing to work will save mileage in the other players’ legs.

“He did the job fantastically well today and got his reward. One chance, one goal.”