Forget VAR: March Town United FC say Scott Callaghan red card case of mistaken identity at Thurlow Nunn League First Division Mulbarton Wanderers

Thurlow Nunn League First Division North

Mulbarton Wanderers 4 March Town United 2

Sponsored by VAR? The Hares lost a 2-0 lead and were left cursing a contentious decision of mistaken identity, said boss Brett Whaley of this top of the table clash at second-spot Mulbarton.

Two goals from the prolific Jack Friend in the 40th and 62nd minutes saw the Hares leading 2-0. But Scott Callaghan was sent off for March after the second goal, leading to a comeback.

Jones, two from Page and one from Plumstead, saw Mulbarton net four times in just 14 minutes, March ending the game with nine men after Danny Emmington was sent off in the final minute. The Hares have now slipped to seventh place.

Whaley said: “We were 2-0 up and absolutely cruising. The referee made a bad decision and it changed the game.

“It’s hard for us as we knew it was a big game. The lads were brilliant for an hour and the referee got the wrong man.

"We scored our second and when they kicked the ball towards the centre circle Toby Allen kicked it away.

“The ref didn’t see it but some of their players appealed and booked Scott Callaghan and sent him off.

“We already had Gav Cooke off injured so to lose two defensive players in a short space of time and down to ten men was hard.

"If he’d booked Toby, which he should have done, we’d have had 11 men and gone on to win the game. An incident that changed the game.”

Attendance: 62.

Vice-captain Cooke is set to miss tomorrow night’s (Tuesday, Nov 5) KO Cup tie at home to Downham Town but may be back for Saturday’s long away trip to Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves.

The March manager added: “Scott Callaghan is having an operation this week and will be out for the season. Max Mattless is also long-term injured.”

Next Tuesday is a Cambs Invitation Cup trip to Eynesbury United.