Much debate has ensued following last’s night football concerning the standard of refereeing. The curiously named Turkish Official Cuneyt Cakir was lambasted for his decision to send Nani from the field during the Champions League encounter between Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The real villain however was a lesser known referee from the Football League who hails from Sunderland named Geoff Eltringham. He has now officiated at 27 games this season and dished out 70 yellow cards and 6 reds.

Last night he had a “difficult night” which culminated in the exceptionally poor decision to give a straight red card to Jabo Ibehre in the 43rd minute.

In fairness to the Hartlepool manager John Hughes he supported Joe Dunne’s considered view on the red card.

Hughes said “I don’t think that it was a booking, I sympathise with Colchester and if one of my players was sent off for that I’d be very disappointed. The lad (Ibehre) came through and got his studs on the ball.”

To his credit Neil Austin (the Hartlepool recipient) was immediately on his feet and did not make a meal out of the situation.

What particularly incensed the faithful however was Mr Eltringham’s speed to race to the unfortunate Ibehre and to then brandish the red card with indecent haste. We talk about poor referees and he is the very worst that I have seen this season or for many a season.

JD is righty contesting the red card and we all hope that he is successful. If Sir Alex Ferguson had been present at Victoria Park last night he would have been so traumatised as to confirm that he would never agree to give a press conference again, such was the sense of injustice felt by the Colchester team, manager and supporters.

The incident spoiled what was turning into an interesting contest. The evening was crisp and cold but surprisingly no breeze which for Hartlepool was unusual. The pitch was in excellent condition with a good covering of grass and although slightly slippery at times, no one could complain about the standard of surface.

I had persuaded my youngest son to attend and as we drove straight form work, we made a beeline for the refreshments hut. Now “Hangus” the monkey was just ahead of us in the queue but he was signing autographs. I sampled a meat and potato pie whilst my son enjoyed a hot dog and we both had white coffee. The pie was well packed with meat and the pastry was both crisp and moist. The hot dog was consumed in seconds and so must have been good.

The first news was that Freddie Sears was unfit and had not even made the bench. JD therefore lined up with one enforced change from the weekend match:

Walker

Wilson (Capt) Magnus Eastman Garmston

Clifford Bond Porter

Massey Ibehre

Morrison

Subs: David Wright, Bean, Compton, Cousins, Ladapo, Thompson, White

The attendance was 3,148 and for the first few minutes Hartlepool was visibly nervous. Flinders threw the ball wildly to his defenders who played dangerous back passes and miscontrolled relatively easy passing opportunities.

Both Massey and Porter had early chances which Flinders got behind. Hartlepool then lost their star defender Baldwin to a freak accident when he landed awkwardly.

The game was evenly poised though at this stage. The stoppage on 31 minutes when Baldwin was injured meant that time would be added on but no one could have foreseen the turn of events. The ball was near the half way line and close to the home dug out when Jabo Ibehre who had put in a towering performance full of commitment passion and sheer hard work slid in to the challenge. Now from behind the goal (row 3) I was approximately 50 yards from the action but it looked as though he made a successful challenge. Hartlepool’s full back Austin was straight back to his feet but the referee wasted no time in delivering a red card to the prone Ibehre who couldn’t believe it.

The referee failed to think the situation through so desperate was he to deliver the card and to reduce Colchester to ten men just two minutes from half time.

The faithful of which there were 62 (although one guy wore a Middlesbrough shirt (why wasn’t he at Huddersfield I wonder) howled as one. The Hartlepool celebrations were somewhat muted. The referee had failed to take the correct action and had ruined the match as a decent contest.

An extra 4 minutes of additional time were found before the players could vacate the field and allow JD to work his magic.

We headed for the food hut. Two portions of chips were procured. The immediate anger turned to disbelief at what had happened. The food area is separated from the Hartlepool main stand by a chain link fence. No words were exchanged from either side.

No changes were made by either manager. JD had clearly decided to tough it out for now with his 10 men. For the first ten minutes Colchester enjoyed a spell of possession and Massey and Morrison had decent opportunities. The link up play with Captain Brian Wilson was excellent. Then the siege mentality kicked in. Hartlepool started to sensibly spray 50 yard passes from wing to wing in an attempt to stretch the defence. Colchester started to play deeper which encouraged their hosts on. The corner count started to rack up but heroic defending from Magnus and Tom Eastman meant that Walker was rarely troubled. Now the 62 had been vocal in the first half and even had an obscene chant for Jeff Stelling and a young ball boy was ribbed mercilessly for his hat, cup of drink and other subject matter. He took it all in good part.

The 62 out sang the home support and remained upbeat throughout. A particularly humorous moment was also received with great sportsmanship by Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal. Now Hartlepool include two players with the names of Hartley and Poole and both scored some weeks ago (a head line writers dream). Midway through the half striker James Poole struck a fierce shot which the outstanding Walker saved and spectacularly turned onto the bar.

I saw Flinders turn and applaud indicating just what a class save it had been. This was not lost on the faithful who sang “Flinders you couldn’t do that, you couldn’t do that”. He turned to them and gestured that no he couldn’t and he applauded Walker’s heroics. The faithful in turn applauded Flinders. Simply a great sporting moment during a match of great importance and pressure. Well done all concerned.

The referee of course came in for ritual humiliation at every turn. Strangely he turned away two Hartlepool, shouts for a penalty, perhaps understanding the magnitude of what had occurred just before half time.

The 10 were playing their hearts out. Tackles were made, efforts were redoubled and Walker was like a rock behind his hard pressed defence.

But Colchester held firm. The defence was well marshalled and organised.

Clinton Morrison was cheered off after 65 minutes to be replaced by Freddie Ladapo. He offered a new and pacy contribution on the rare forays we made into Hartlepool territory. Despite their corners and possession Hartlepool in truth didn’t threaten too much and Colchester grew in confidence. George Porter who lost his way second half was replaced by Josh Thompson on 75 minutes as JD sought to shore up the defence.

Johnny White appeared to a heroic reception from the faithful on 80 minutes for the tiring Clifford who had covered every blade of grass.

Hartlepool claimed a hand ball from Bradley Garmston; the referee waved all protests away. That would have been the ultimate disgrace on a night of shocking decisions.

The board indicated 4 additional minutes. Mr Eltringham managed to find a fifth minute, we wondered if we might have played all night.

Finally the whistle was blown ad the celebrations could begin. The faithful gathered behind the goal and the players applauded. It was a watershed moment. The point was as important to Colchester as it was disappointing to Hartlepool. They now require 7 wins from their last 10 games. Colchester needs 4 wins from our last 10 games. It is on margins as tight as this that the relegation places are decided.

The scenes were reminiscent of all the great Colchester nights, huge outpouring of emotion and relief. This you feel was the clean sheet and point that has ultimately saved the U’s from the dreaded relegation to league two whilst resigning the Monkey Hangers to their fate.

It was a night for heroes; Sam Walker belied his young years to once again turn in a superb mature goalkeeping performance.

Brian Wilson is relishing the Captaincy, he was immense. Bradley Garmston was impressive particularly going forward. Magnus and Tom Eastman were like rocks at the back.

Massey put lots of effort in, I still don’t think he creates enough chances but this is not a time for criticism. Billy Clifford is the new Kem Izzet but with goals. He covers every blade of grass and puts in some superb challenges.

Andy Bond was quiet but comfortably on the ball. George Porter took some stick from the crowd particularly after he went down after a heft challenge first half.

Jabo Ibehre has already staked a claim for Player of the Year. His work rate is tremendous. He is like a lion in the tackle and his ability to link up is legendary. He also scores goals. His red card must be overturned.

Clinton Morrison (still my favourite) he is a real character and crowd pleaser.

And all this and no Freddie Sears. Get well soon Freddie. Even Doogie got in on the action at the end and encouraged the faithful in their chanting.

Don’t doubt the commitment to the cause. Every player bled blue and white for the cause last night.

Survival, you bet, but we must not get ourselves into this mess again. Bring on the Railwaymen at the weekend. They should hit the buffers at the WHCS.

36 games played and 39 points another 4 wins will do nicely, but let’s get them quickly and enjoy our last 6 or so matches. Well played Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella.

Keep the faith.

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images

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