One of the worst officiating displays I've ever seen. Richman shouldn't have been sent off but given he was, it beggars belief that Durrell wasn't sent off for an identical challenge later on. On their second goal, I don't know if it's a mistake in law but with the ceremonial free-kicks, refs always wait for the keeper to line up the wall and get into position and that's what Stuart quite reasonably expected to happen, so it was a dreadful error by the ref to blow when he did. Wasn't a free-kick in the first place either. The third goal was handball - well, volleyball actually - by a player who shouldn't have been on the pitch by then. Didn't see anything wrong with their header from a corner either.
On Durrell incidentally, I can never get my head round players like that who clearly have bags of talent but can't be bothered to get themselves fit. He's huge! If he had a bit of self-respect and lost some weight, he could be playing in the league but I imagine professional clubs won't go near him when he's so visibly unprofessional.
One area of concern that's not been raised, and it gives me no pleasure to say this, is that Stuart Coburn is a real weak spot in games against big, powerful sides like Hednesford. It was the Burton cup games all over again - he stays rooted to his line and there's a chance every time the ball goes into the six-yard box. Even if he doesn't get much on the ball, he needs to come for crosses more.
On where we are, it's all been said really - obviously the squad is too weak, obviously Perry and Smikle should go. And the substitutions were both terrible, perhaps the worst thing about them being the alienating effect they had on two of our best players. But I thought we played some great stuff, Wilkinson looks a top signing and if we can get a couple of quality players in, as Cult says, this league is there for the taking. On yesterday's showing, neither of those teams will win the league - both too frail at the back. But I actually agree with Ecky - we'll finish above Hednesford. I've a funny feeling we'll meet them in the play-offs actually.
One other point - I thought the Hednesford support yesterday was really good, in terms of numbers and volume (albeit the contingent around me in the main stand was something of a village idiot convention). There was a good atmosphere and it could have been a great spectacle. Huge shame the ref ruined it.