Exeter City halted a losing run in League One this weekend with a late leveller against Lincoln City, but the result was not the main talking point in the match.
The Grecians finished strongly and looked most likely to score in the dying embers of the game. Indeed, with a few minutes left on the clock, Vinny Harper looked to breakaway down the right-hand side, leaving his man, Paudie O’Connor, trailing in his wake
That caused Exeter City to post on their official social media channels after the game, surreptitiously suggesting it was a poor decision, and it seems they’re not done yet. Defender Pierce Sweeney, speaking to Devon Live, has also condemned the ‘tackle’, asking how Simpson only deemed it a yellow card.
While there were a few talking points, the one that springs most readily to mind is how on earth Lincoln’s Paudie O’Connor escaped with just a yellow card after hauling Vinny Harper back by the neck as he broke clear down the right wing with 10 or 15 minutes to go,” said the former Bray Wanderers man.
“I appreciate it wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity, but it had to constitute dangerous play – for sure, you’d have been off if you did what the Lincoln player did on a rugby pitch.
“All said and done, I was staggered the ref deemed it worthy of no more than a yellow and, at the very least, would like to think that when he watches it back, he will realise he got it very, very wrong.”
Lincoln hung on for a 1-1 draw, a result that temporarily lifted them into 8th. It was a result that also gave Exeter a platform to improve – they ran Middlesbrough close in the Carabao Cup this week. They led for much of the first half and pulled back a 2-1 deficit, only to lose to a late goal.
Writer’s View
This is a moment that has divided a fanbase, already tied in an unlikely feud. Lincoln’s trip to Exeter in the 2018 play-off semi-final ended in chaotic scenes, with Lincoln staff feeling aggrieved at a pitch invasion. It’s ensured that there is a little needle between the two when they meet.
The feud has reignited on social media, with Lincoln fans celebrating the challenge as a perfect example of ‘taking one for the team,’ whilst Exeter fans feel it was dangerous and warranted a red.
The truth? It probably was a red card. It might not be a goalscoring opportunity, but if you clotheslined a player as he went past, not denying a goalscoring opportunity, you’d get a red. Sweeney is right, it is dangerous, but his comments will only turn up the heat for the Grecians’ visit to the LNER Stadium on February 17th.
