Richo Reflects!
Last updated : 02 February 2004 By Joanna Walker
 | "It was a penalty, I admit it" |
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Captain and fans favourite Ian Richardson held his hands up and admitted whole heartedly that: “It was a penalty. I have no complaints about being sent off.”
The fully committed Notts man was shown red by referee Eddie Ilderton in the 87th minute of Saturday’s game against Barnsley for bringing down Isaiah Rankin in the box.
But he had no complaints about the decision, telling the Nottingham Evening Post, that the ref got the decision right and that he had no choice but to send him off and award the crucial penalty to Barnsley.
Richardson, a trainee referee himself, admitted; “I thought I could get it, but it just went away from me and I brought him down. I am not going to say it wasn't a penalty because it was. It was just unfortunate and I apologise. It was an honest attempt to win the ball, but I got it wrong.”
Richardson also took time out to comment on Steve Mildenhall’s injury sustained on Saturday.
Richardson criticised ref Eddie Ilderton for allowing play to continue when it was clear that a serious injury had taken place. “It was a nasty one and the referee could have stopped play much earlier than he did. I couldn't believe he allowed play to continue,” he said.
But Richardson believes that Mildenhall’s injury couldn’t have come at a worst time for the team, as he believes that Mildenhall had been playing well.
“As a defender it is good to have somebody in goal who can dominate the box. It was just typical that he gets injured when he is playing well.” commented Richardson, who wishes Mildenhall a speedy recovery.