Robinson seething at refereeing decisions as Hungerford’s play-off hopes dealt another blow with Gosport Borough defeat
Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson felt his side did not deserve to lose after refereeing decisions went against them in Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat at home to Gosport Borough.
Both the promotion-chasing visitors’ second half goals had more than a hint of controversy about them.
The opener, scored in the 73rd minute by Corey Jordan, came from a corner which Robinson felt should have been given as a goal kick while it was unclear whether the former Bournemouth defender’s effort crossed the line.
And the Crusaders boss, who was sent off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hendon after the referee alleged that he deliberately kicked the ball over the stand, was even more incensed with Gosport’s second two minutes later.
Substitute Jake Cope appeared to be in an offside position before his low strike crept underneath veteran goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who will not have been happy with his part in the goal.
The hosts never really looked like forcing their way back into the contest in the final quarter-of-an-hour but, after seeing his side shade the first half, Robinson was incensed with decisions which have dealt another blow to his side’s fading play-off hopes.
“I’m very frustrated because my players didn’t deserve to lose that game at all,” he said.
“Yes, we should’ve taken our chances but we were the better side in the first half.
“The second half was more 50-50 but the decisions from the officials – you know me, I never like to moan about officials – have left me flabbergasted.
“The first goal is never a corner. I understand we’ve got to deal with it better, but it never should have got to that point.
“For the second goal he is literally 10 yards offside.
“Officials have the hardest job in the world and I have a lot of respect for them but I have no idea how the linesman hasn’t seen it. It’s unacceptable.”
Robinson had to deal with a depleted engine room after Brad Hooper fell ill, Jack Alexander decided to leave the club and Joe Shepherd missed out again, with Town’s tough-tackling midfielder still struggling after Walton & Hersham full-back Joe Pratley-Jones appeared to leave one on him in an off-the-ball incident two weeks ago.
That meant the Crusaders boss opted to change his shape, handing Great Evans a rare start up front alongside Conor McDonagh while former Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Jacob Gardiner-Smith partnered Sam De St Croix in midfield as Robinson sent his side out in a 4-4-2 formation.
He said: “Jacob deserved a chance because he did really, really well against Hendon.
“We’re in a position where it’s hard for us to strengthen. If we’re going to bring someone in, we want them to be better than what we’ve got but that costs money – and that’s something we don’t have.
“We wanted to get Elis (Watts) on the ball as much as possible and it worked, we were just let down by the decisions.
“My lads are absolutely not at fault tonight.”
Hungerford are still just three points outside the play-offs but have played four more games than AFC Totton and will likely need to win most of their remaining 10 Southern Premier League South matches.
Yet despite losing six of their last eight in all competitions Robinson is refusing to give up on the play-offs.
“Until it’s mathematically impossible I will never give up, not in a million years,” he said.
“It’s a football club that’s been through a lot, with the chairman leaving and Alan (O’Donohue) stepping in to save us and a lot of people working morning, noon and night to make sure bills are paid.
“It’s been a bit of a reset and so there will be bumps in the road but we’re not out of it and tomorrow’s another day.”
Hungerford will be hoping to bounce back ahead of the visit of 13th-placed Sholing, who are winless in their last four, this weekend.
