Peterborough United want to see greater consistency from match officials and why Nathan Thompson owes the club a strong finish to the season

Peterborough United co-owner Darragh MacAnthony has called for greater consistency among match officials.
Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United in action with Liam Bridcutt of Lincoln City at the weekend. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United in action with Liam Bridcutt of Lincoln City at the weekend. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United in action with Liam Bridcutt of Lincoln City at the weekend. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

MacAnthony, like the rest of the Posh camp, was baffled by some of the decisions made by referee Will Finnie during last weekend’s 1-1 League One draw at Lincoln City.

Posh accepted Nathan Thompson’s red card and the award of a Lincoln penalty, but claimed other big calls all went the home side’s way.

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“Nathan was sent off after conceding a penalty for handball,” MacAnthony said on his ‘Hard Truth’ podcast. “But late in the game Jonson Clarke-Harris hit a free kick that hit an arm in the wall and the referee gave nothing.

Posh defender Nathan Thompson is shown a red card by referee Will Finnie at Lincoln City. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Posh defender Nathan Thompson is shown a red card by referee Will Finnie at Lincoln City. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Posh defender Nathan Thompson is shown a red card by referee Will Finnie at Lincoln City. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“I’d never accuse a referee of being unfair, but it would be great to see some consistency.

“Lincoln had a player cautioned early in the game (Liam Bridcutt) who went on to commit 19 more fouls without receiving a second yellow card.

“It was a very frustrating afternoon for us, but the lads at least showed some character after going down to 10 men to get a point.”

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The referee for Posh v MK Dons on Saturday (January 16) is Marc Edwards who has shown 54 yellow cards in 15 outings this season. He sent Louis Reed off as Posh beat Lincoln 2-0 last season.

Posh will be without serial offender Nathan Thompson wo will serve his second suspension of the season after his dismissal at Lincoln.

That was the first red card of the season for Posh who sit seventh in the League One fairplay table. They have collected 28 bookings in 19 League One matches and a fifth caution of the season will no know lead to an automatic suspension. The amnesty figure for five yellow cards in a season was the 19th game.

MacAnthony added: “Nathan owes us big time for the rest of the season. He picked up two cautions at Lincoln that were both unnecessary.

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“The tackle for the first yellow card was ridiculous as it took place on the halfway line and the handball which led to his second yellow card didn’t need to happen.

“I don’t expect that sort of stuff from such an experienced player and I expect a strong finish to the season from him now.”