Ben Davies: Pompey's ref got it wrong

Referee Ben Toner was wrong over the decision which saw Gary Roberts given his Pompey marching orders.
Pompey midfielder Gary Roberts is sent off. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey midfielder Gary Roberts is sent off. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey midfielder Gary Roberts is sent off. Picture: Joe Pepler

That’s the verdict of Ben Davies, who insists he had a prime view of the controversial incident against Newport County on Saturday.

Already on a yellow card, Roberts was then adjudged to have dived under a challenge from Andrew Hughes in the 59th minute.

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Toner ruled the midfielder had dived, issuing a second caution and subsequent red card.

The Blues,who were 1-0 down at time, went on to lose 3-0 in a dismal performance.

Yet Davies believes Roberts should not have been dismissed by the Lancashire match official.

He said: ‘I had a good view of it. I was jogging in from behind Robbo ready to take the free-kick, I thought it was a foul.

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‘It was one of those things, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t and unfortunately we haven’t got it – and we’ll miss him for the Mansfield game as well.

‘From what I could see, it looked a straightforward foul to me. Obviously the ref was right there and he made the call.

‘I know Robbo, I don’t think he’s that sort of person who would take a dive.

‘He was about to get a shot off so if he has gone over on purpose then I would be very surprised.

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‘It was a massive decision, you go from having a free-kick on the edge of the box to having 10-men, then you are chasing a game with a man down and can get caught.

‘It just seemed to be one of those days, but you dust yourself off and move on.’

Roberts’ first booking was a trip on Medy Elito after the midfielder had surged past him.

He must now serve a one-match ban.

– NEIL ALLEN