Barton riled by match officials despite Fleetwood’s comeback win at Rochdale

Posted Friday, December 27, 2019 by PA

Joey Barton was delighted with his team’s comeback but fumed at the match officials following Fleetwood’s 3-2 victory at Rochdale on Boxing Day.

The Cod Army twice came from behind to take the points – much to Barton’s delight – but he was annoyed by the match officials’ role in a late collision which led to Rhys Norrington-Davies being stretchered off after a collision with goalkeeper Billy Crellin.

“Boxing Day always throws up a wonderful array of results and this was a cracker, you couldn’t take your eyes off the game,” said Barton.

“It wasn’t the game either myself or Brian Barry-Murphy would have envisaged but thankfully we came out of it on the right side.

“We were camped in their half for much of the first half and had a stonewall penalty not given.

“It was a strange day, a handball missed on the touchline led to the nasty collision in the second half and I get that they’ve had Christmas Day, but they have to get decisions right because you can endanger the wellbeing of players.

“Our player was close to being stretchered off, their player has been and that’s because a linesman isn’t doing what he should be doing. That was frustrating but thankfully for us we get to take three points back to Highbury.”

Aaron Wilbraham opened the scoring on 40 minutes, heading Stephen Dooley’s corner home at the near post.

The visitors were level nine minutes into the second period, Danny Evans’ cross headed goalward by Ched Evans and although Robert Sanchez saved, Paddy Madden pounced to convert the loose ball.

Wilbraham fired Dale ahead again on the hour mark, seizing on an error from Crellin before rifling home at the near post.

However, Dale’s lead did not last long and substitute Kyle Dempsey found the net – via a deflection off Wilbraham – with a shot from distance in the 65th minute.

The collision between Crellin and Norrington-Davies, which led to the Dale defender being taken to hospital with facial injuries, led to a lengthy stoppage and 13 minutes time added on.

When play resumed Dale were caught cold, with Wes Burn sweeping home the winner in the 89th minute.

Dale boss Barry-Murphy confirmed Norrington-Davies was on his way to hospital after the game.

“Rhys went straight to hospital with a facial injury,” Barry-Murphy said.

“When something like that happens to one of your team-mates, it’s very concerning and the challenge that resulted in Rhys’ injury was indicative of the type of player he is for this club.

“He was probably too brave, too committed, but it was a very fair challenge from both parties.

“The game had a eerie feel to it after that and I was concerned about our lads’ ability to refocus – the winning goal came pretty quickly after the incident, so it was disappointing in a football sense but I could understand the concern for Rhys.”