Oldham boss Frankie Bunn disappointed with referee performance

Posted Sunday, October 28, 2018 by PA

Oldham Athletic manager Frankie Bunn criticised the referee’s performance after the 2-1 League Two defeat to Northampton on Saturday.

John-Joe O’Toole’s header and a controversial penalty from Kevin Van Veen put the the Cobblers 2-0 ahead at half-time although they were reduced to 10 men after Sam Foley’s red card.

Robert Hunt pulled one back as Oldham dominated the second half but Northampton held on.

“The circumstances were difficult but we have to move on and look forward,” said Bunn.

“I thought the lads gave everything they had but we had a dubious penalty decision go against us and we should have had one ourselves.

“That’s how it is at the minute – we just need that little bit of luck. I’ve spoken to the referee but there was no comment from him, so I said ‘you’ll be horrified when you see it back’.

“It’s been happening too many times and I’m very disappointed with the officiating again.

“He said he gave it (the penalty) for handball but we’ve looked back at the footage and asked all the lads and we just couldn’t see anything – so I think he’s guessed.

“We started really brightly. We said we need to get on top of them early and we did that and we got good possession in the opposition half but we conceded from two set-pieces.

“It’s one ball down the side and we give a free-kick away. We’ve worked on set-pieces during the week – that was the only way they were going to score and they got two.”

Northampton manager Keith Curle was pleased to rack up his fourth win from seven games in charge.

“I’m delighted,” he said. “We had to show a different side to us today but we’re going to need that.

“They got asked a lot of questions today but they were resolute, brave, determined and attentive to the information that we gave them.

“The changing room is adaptable. They’ve got ability and got an understanding of the game and it’s down to me to pick what I think is the right formation to give opposition problems.

“A slow start was expected by myself and the staff because you go away and score a hatful of goals and everyone enjoys the rewards and then it’s a new game.

“We needed to get into our stride. I was very, very pleased to be 2-0 up at half-time because we didn’t really deserve it on the balance of play.

“We didn’t do the basics. We didn’t get territorial advantage and spin them and give them problems.

“Once we did that in the latter stages, we got the rewards with the set-pieces and the two goals.”