Browse Sections
| 
Hunt celebrates phantom goal
advertisement
Hunt: Worst decision I've ever seen
By Nick Ive22/ 9/2008
Stephen Hunt admitted the decision to award Reading’s opener in their 2-2 draw at Watford was the worst he has ever seen.
Royals benefited from one of the biggest refereeing blunders of all time at Vicarage Road on Saturday when they were awarded a goal, even though the ball was three feet wide of the post.
However, linesman Nigel Bannister thought it had gone between the posts and referee Stuart Attwell allowed the opener.
Reading’s bemused stars accepted the decision, while Watford’s angry players tried in vain to make the pair see sense.
“It was a screamer,” joked a sheepish Stephen Hunt. “No, it was probably the worst decision I have ever witnessed.
“We can’t do anything about it. It’s not our mistake, but what can you do? You can’t say ‘no ref, it wasn’t in’.
“After that it was more about stopping their players getting into trouble.”
The frustrations were all too much for Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd, who was later sent to the stand for berating an under-fire Attwell over a throw-in decision.
Stephen Hunt, though, offered encouragement to Attwell, who is the youngest ref to officiate in the Premier League at the age of 25.
The Royals winger said: “He seemed all right. He’s a young referee. But (after this) he’ll probably be sitting at home next week.
“I’ve had him before and he’s been all right. It was just a bad day at the office.
“He talks, he respects you and you respect him.
“I can understand (Boothroyd’s) frustration, but everyone makes mistakes.”
Read Monday's Evening Post for our full story.
Secondly it was one of the best games between the clubs i have seen.
Overall a draw was fair.
Bikey's goal was correctly disallowed for a forearm push as he went up and both sides had a penalty decision turned down in the last few minutes for reasons best known to the officials.
Then there was the 'goal'. Your players didnt appeal they were as bemused as all of us.Only one person openly celebrated the award that was Stephen Hunt. Then he says it was the worst decision I have ever seen!!
Reading should be proud of having one of the most honest and sporting managers around in Steve Coppell..I cannot say the same for Mr Hunt...however he is so competitive one has to respect him on the pitch...shame about his post match drivel.
Finally I hope that the referees and linesmen in this division are now given better training because they vary from bad to dire.
22/09/2008 at 16:20