Referee Gets His Revenge On Sphinx

Last updated : 14 January 2009 By Kev Monks at Sphinx Drive
Coventry Sphinx were robbed of victory in the tenth minute of stoppage time in a home Midland Alliance fixture against Tipton Town, when referee James Glover failed to rule out a last gasp goal for a two handed shove in the back of Terry Ward.

It was well known amongst the Sphinx support and others in the footballing community that Mr Glover held a grudge against the club for a low mark last season and he had been heard at a pre-season friendly to say that he was going to get revenge.

Sphinx had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Callum Woodward drove home from a corner.

A minute later, Mr Glover made his first cautions of night,booking Danny Brageli and Robbie Stevenson for shoving and by the end of the half, had six players in his book, when there was only one really bad foul in the match.

It was in the fourth minute of stoppage time of the half that Tipton drew level when Chris Morris was left unmarked and beat Carl O'Neill with a neat finish.

Tom Thacker headed a corner against the post from six yards four minutes into a second half which saw the Sphinx support left fuming when Mr Glover failed to give a penalty when Jerome Murdock was clearly hauled to the ground.

In the 72nd minute, Tipton had Nicky Campbell sent off and were made to pay for their numerical disadvantage, a minute later when Callum Woodward slipped the ball forward and Robbie Stevenson beat Wes Cox in the Tipton goal to score.

Cox had to go off injured with a back and hip injury after bravely diving to get to a ball and it looked like Sphinx would hold on and wipe out the freak result on Saturday against Boldmere St Michaels.

Tipton defenders Bevan and Pancer kicked two corners off the line as the game went into stoppage time.

Both sets of supporters kept checking their watches as Mr Glover awarded the visitors a free kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Terry Ward was clearly shoved in the back by a Tipton player, which allowed Danny Brageli to bundle the ball into the net.

The Sphinx players fumed. Ward was sent off and Hopkins and O'Neill joined the list of cautions which now stood at ten as the match finished in a 2-2 draw.

Sphinx travel to Cradley Town on Saturday and to Coalville Town on Tuesday in a game which is subject to any FA Vase replay.

Ht CSFC 1-1 TTFC FT CSFC 2-2 TTFC

Goals Callum Woodward (20), Chris Morris (45+4), Robbie Stevenson (73), Danny Brageli (90+9)