PORT GLASGOW 1 ASHFIELD F & A C 0, Ravenscraig Stadium, Greenock

The `Top two` met this afternoon and after an excellent first half performance from both teams, showing why they are up at the top of the Division, The Referee, Mr Tait ruined the second half (& not for the first time this season) resulting in Ashfield suffering their 1st league defeat of the season going down 1-0.
An awful performance from the Referee, in what was a very clean match, resulted in 3 Ashfield players being sent off and 2 penalties being awarded to Port Glasgow.

It was the first time the two teams had met each other for a number of seasons, and both produced an excellent end to end first half. Ashfield playing in their away strips of yellow & blue, finished the half the stronger, however the earlier jousts went to Port Glasgow, with both keepers producing excellent saves with their legs midway through the first half. Passmore had an excellent chance for Ashfield 8 minutes before half time after a wonderfully worked free kick, however the Port Glasgow defence managed to clear to safety. Just before the half time whistle Port Glasgow were awarded two free-kicks in dangerous positions, however the Ashfield defence, superbly marshalled by `Captain` Ian Murphy snuffed out any danger. Both teams went in reasonably happy at Half time, unaware as to what impact Referee Mr Tait would make to the game in the Second Half.

HALF TIME: PORT GLASGOW 0 ASHFIELD F & A C 0



The second half started off in the same vain with both teams desperate to grab the points, however in the 48th Minute, a collision involving Martin Gault of Ashfield, who had committed a tackle, worthy of no more than a booking, was given a straight `Red` for his infringement. This decision spurred on Ashfield and Tony Chalmers was giving the Port Glasgow defence a difficult afternoon. 15 minutes into the second half and all hell broke loose - Dave Gumley went up for an aerial tussle with the Port Glasgow No 2, with the Referee stating that the Ashfield left half had infringed with his elbow and to the players, officials and supporters disgust, was given a straight `Red` whilst no-one in the Port Glasgow side had even claimed for a free-kick. With Ashfield reduced to 9 men, Port Glasgow put the pressure on and were awarded a very soft penalty after a Port Glasgow striker fired in a shot which hit Kevin Miller, only 2 yards away from the shot, with the Referee stating that he had blocked with his hand. A difficult decision to take on the back of what had gone on before. The penalty was well taken with Steven McGovern in the Ashfield goal getting a good hand to it but unable to stop the ball hitting the top corner.
Ashfield reshuffled the pack, and brought on Darren O`Donnell, Joe Tartaglia & Ian Garscadden in a bid to rescue the match and went close when O`Donnell failed to connect with a long throw-in from Mark Thomson. However the decisions continued to go against `the field and O`Donnell, McGovern, Maxwell and Murphy were all booked for appealing Mr Tait`s decisions. With less than 5 minutes to go, the game was effectively over when Darren O`Donnell was given a second booking, reducing Ashfield to 8 men, for a foul on the edge of the box, which the Referee saw fit to award a second spot-kick for. This time McGovern saved brilliantly with his legs and Port Glasgow held out in the remaining minutes to stay top of the division.
The Referee was given a `hot` reception by the Ashfield support at Full Time and no wonder. This is the third time Ashfield have had this Referee this season, and in all games he has succeeded in ruining the matches with his officious behaviour.

FULL TIME:- PORT GLASGOW 1 ASHFIELD F & A C 0

Man of the Match:- Ian Murphy played a `Captain`s innings` throughout and marshalled the team against a very competent team and incompetent Referee.
Attendance:- 56