McFall left fuming over penalty snub
Ronnie McFall
PORTADOWN manager Ronnie McFall pointed to a dismissed penalty call as a key decision in today’s (Saturday’s) 3-1 defeat by Cliftonville.
The Danske Bank Premiership leaders left Shamrock Park with a convincing victory, bringing to an end the Ports’ three-game winning run on home soil in the league.
Cliftonville dominated possession and only a string of superb stops by David Miskelly prevented McFall’s men from experiencing defeat by a greater margin.
However, McFall highlighted a crucial call by referee Alan Black around the half-hour mark with the deficit at 1-0.
A Ross Redman corner-kick was directed goalwards by Kevin Braniff inside the crowded penalty area, with his header connecting to a Cliftonville arm.
The match officials considered the incident a case of ball-to-hand despite claims to the contrary.
“I have watched the footage on the television and it was a blatant penalty kick,” said the Ports boss. “There is clear movement of the arm.
“Ross Redman put in some good deliveries from set-pieces but we failed to make anything out of them and it wasn’t a good performance overall.
“Mistakes cost us and you cannot afford to give a side with Cliftonville’s quality those opportunities.
“David Miskelly’s saves kept us in the match and then Sean Mackle scored a good goal to make it 2-1.
“But another mistake allowed Cliftonville to score a third.”
Cliftonville took the lead on eight minutes when Diarmiud O’Carroll opened the scoring before second-half goals by Joe Gormley and Liam Boyce.
“Cliftonville have two very good strikers and midfielders who work hard,” said McFall. “They pressed us early on and adjusted better to the conditions by going direct then pushing on to support.
“We attempted to pass the ball around instead and certain moments failed to go for us.”
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Weather for Portadown
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
