OLD Bar officials were fuming following the controversial last minute 3-2 loss to Port FC in the Football Mid North Coast Premier League game at Port Macquarie.
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The Barbarians were upset at four crucial calls that went against them during the match. Old Bar did lead 2-0 at one stage before the home side fought back.
According to a club spokesman Noel Lanagan in the first case the linesman called offside against FC and an FC player subsequently kicked the ball away. Play stopped and Old Bar keeper Adam Lydiate retrieved the ball and kicked it back to where the infringement occurred.
"Everyone waited for the free kick to be taken by us,'' Lanagan said.
"But the referee said he hadn't blown his whistle as he didn't believe that the player was offside. FC players were confused so one of them dribbled the ball down and put it over the line and the referee awarded a goal. At the time, the 18th minute of the first half, we were leading 2-0 and all over them.
"This changed the whole complexion of the game, especially towards the end.''
Later Old Bar's Jake Dawson was bought down from behind in the box and according to Lanagan the referee pulled out his red card and was ready to send off the FC player.
The linesman then spoke to the referee and he then put the card away and gave FC a goal kick.
Lanagan said the third issue was also a game changer.
"Ten minutes into the second half, Dave Wicks was smashed in a tackle,'' Lanagan said.
The Barbarians claim there was then a heated altercation between Wicks and a Port FC player, instigated by Port FC.
The referee and linesman then conferred and sent Wicks off while issuing a yellow card to the Port FC player.
"We had to play 35 minutes with 10 players,'' Lanangan added.
With two minutes remaining and the score at 2-2 FC received a corner.
"We looked to have it covered when Grant Suters was hit from behind, you could hear the crack of his back when he was going for the ball,'' Lanagan claimed.
"This left a guy free and he scored.''
Lanagan said the referee was about to blow a foul as he is 10 metres away but once again confers with the linesman and awarded the winning goal.''
Lanagan is concerned the loss will make it difficult for the Barnarians to make the final five.
