Penalty or no penalty? Rotherham United boss Matt Hamshaw has his say on the Hamish Douglas Reading incident
MATT Hamshaw weighed into the penalty debate and gave his view on whether Rotherham United were lucky to escape a spot-kick appeal during their League One draw at Reading.
The Millers were protecting a 1-0 lead at the Select Car Leasing Stadium yesterday when young centre-half Hamish Douglas appeared to handle the ball in his own area.
Referee Alan Young waved away huge shouts from home players and fans and allowed play to continue.
“It hit his hand but I don't think it's a handball,” manager Hamshaw said. “Some people say they've seen them given, but not for me.”
The ball bounced up and took 20-year-old Douglas, who has been in superb form since breaking into the side five games ago, by surprise.
“His arm was at the side of his body,” Hamshaw said. “I was annoyed by the fact that we didn't communicate. I think that Hamish was coming on to it and Kian (Spence) got in his way.”
Only 12 minutes of regulation time were left when Rotherham conceded an equaliser through Charlie Savage's stunning 20-yard strike into the top corner.
The goal had some controversy attached to it as, moments earlier, Rotherham substitute Ar'Jany Martha had been flagged for offside when the ball might have been touched by a Royals opponent.
Hamshaw chose his words carefully as he dropped a heavy hint that he felt his side had been the victim of an injustice.
“I've told the linesman I shall package up the clips of that incident and send it in on Monday,” he said.
There was a suspicion that Martha may have already been in an offside position when the ball was initially played up to him
Hamshaw, who generally steers clear of criticising match officials, avoided offering an opinion and told journalists: “I'll let you clarify that.”