Ref ruined derby – Burns

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE Odd Down boss Lee Burns slammed the performance of referee Daniel Jacecko after his side's eagerly-awaited derby with in-form Bitton on Saturday was reduced to a "farce".

The Downers' Stu Pearson was sent off and 14 other players – eight from Bitton and six from the hosts – were yellow-carded by Jacecko in a game Burns felt was far from bad-tempered.

To rub salt into the wounds, Bitton triumphed 2-1 thanks to Brandon Barnes' stoppage-time winner to move to the top of the Toolstation Premier Division table.

The first half also saw an incredible four penalties taken. Aaron Blakemore opened the scoring from the spot for the visitors but the Downers levelled through Simon Gilbert, who followed up to score after Sam Alexander parried his first-half penalty. The Bitton keeper had earlier saved a retaken spot-kick from the same player after Jacecko had ruled out the first attempt for encroachment.

Burns, who along with Bitton counterpart Richard Fey has reported the matter to the FA, said: "The referee was over-officious throughout the 90 minutes and I had many complaints from supporters, both home and away, that he created a spectacle of catastrophic measures as it seemed every challenge was met with a booking.

"The game wasn't allowed to flow and some of his decisions were incredibly difficult to comprehend and if it wasn't for his officiousness, the eagerly-awaited game could have been a real credit to the quality of football that is being played in the Toolstation League currently.

"Fourteen bookings wasn't a fair reflection of the game, which in many respects was always going to be highly competitive, with both teams finding some very good form of late.

"It became farcical and in 30 years of football I haven't seen anything like it," Burns added. "I've got a lot of time for referees and know they have a difficult job, but it just really, really upset me."

The unfortunate Downers played the final 40 minutes with ten men and were beginning a run of three matches in eight days against sides in the title hunt. The series was due to continue last night with another derby at Larkhall Athletic and concludes with a home game against Willand Rovers on Saturday.

Former Bristol Rovers youngster Joe White has left the club but Burns has moved quickly to recruit the pacy Brad Norris from Longwell Green Sports.

Larkhall dropped to fifth place in the table ahead of last night's game after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday.

Jamie Lyons netted for the defending champions, who have their fourth home league game on the trot – against Longwell Green Sports – on Saturday.

Corsham Town moved out of the relegation places ahead of Saturday's six-pointer at bottom side Sherborne thanks to a fine 2-0 away victory over Ilfracombe. Liam Brown and Sam Pring were on target for the visitors, who are three points clear of Sherborne but have played two games more.

They may also have to do without the services of top-scorer Aaron Ledgister for their fight against the drop after the former Bath City loan signing signed Southern League forms with Frome Town.

Bradford Town drew 3-3 for the second successive game to remain on the periphery of the Toolstation Division 1 promotion race.

Town shared the points at Welton Rovers and in doing so stretched their unbeaten league run to six matches.

Matt Cooper followed up his brace in the previous week's draw at home to Roman Glass St George with another double and Jake Hiscocks also found the net.

Bradford visit second-from- bottom Wellington on Saturday, while Keynsham Town return to action with a trip to the side immediately above them in the table, Chard Town.