Boss not happy with latest official

This time Kee was annoyed that Michael McCrudden was shown a straight red card from referee Keith Kennedy after a challenge, which he felt at best was a yellow card.

In their previous match at Ballyclare Comrades the ’Stute gaffer was fuming after Ballymoney official David Walker showed Darren McCauley a straight red card for dissent and he was equally as frustrated with Kennedy on Saturday.

“We are continuously on the wrong end of inexperienced refereeing decisions,” stated Kee.

“Last week the referee’s assistant took what Darren McCauley said to heart, and he was red carded for foul language despite the Ballyclare bench coming out with worse during the game. Then on Saturday, Michael McCrudden deserved no more than a yellow card for his tackle.

“It was a 50/50 challenge and if you’re going to give red cards for that, then there will be very few players left on the pitch.

“The red cards are taking their toll. We can’t ask the players to stop tackling but they are getting on the end of some dodgy decisions and they’re coming up against some referees who seem to be happy to send them off.

“I want my players to develop and to play and act with etiquette and try and get control on their emotions, but it’s difficult.”

Kee was also gutted for McCrudden, who in fairness certainly wouldn’t be the most toughest tackling midfielder in the country.

“I feel sorry for Michael McCrudden because he went in for a 50/50 challenge and the boy has rolled about like he was really hurt. Their bench all jumped up as well and I think the referee has reacted to that.

“(Aaron) Walsh, McCauley and (Gary) Henderson have all got sent off recently. We have asked the players to be more physical but now they’re getting punished for that. It’s not at all fair.

“McCauley and McCrudden’s red cards were as a result of inexperienced officials who are still learning their trade.

“Saturday’s game was a tough one for any young official and it just seems to me that maybe we will have to start roaring and shouting from the bench to influence decisions, unless this situation is addressed soon.”

As for the game it self the Institute boss was pleased by his players attitudes and in the end although he admitted they were hanging on a bit towards the end, he felt the ten men deserved something from the game.

“The red card was disappointing in the context of the game because it gave them a chance of winning and we were under pressure for the last 25 minutes.

“In the first half we were the better team, they were dangerous from set plays as we knew they would be but we handled that well.

“Against Ballyclare there was not enough effort and we didn’t get out of the blocks but on Saturday there was much better attitude and application.”