Newbury Town were left feeling haunted after a “ghost goal” denied a fighting chance in a 4-3 defeat at Reading City Reserves.
The seven-goal-thriller was filled with twists and turns, featuring a hat-trick and a last-minute goal that saw City grab all three points in the Thames Valley Premier League fixture.
Newbury Town suffered a shock defeat against Henley Town
Town player and director of football James O’Doherty said: “We started the game a little slow, giving a goal away cheaply from a corner, but grew into it once we equalised through Will Stantiford and we looked the more likely to score next in the first half.
“Reading City managed to get some new faces in for the evening game, so they were very strong in certain areas of there starting 11.
“The second half was pretty controversial and went very much against us.
“It’s disappointing to say but we were let down by the officials on the day.
“Brad Pagliaroli scored a really well-taken volley after a pinpoint cross from Dan Santos, only for the ball to go into the middle of the goal and come out the back of it, due to a large hole in the net.
“After we had celebrated the goal and the majority of the ground seeing it go in, the ref and his team of officials failed to check the nets and awarded a goal kick instead.
“The frustration from the decision resulted in Pagliaroli being sin binned.
“Later in the second half, Pagliaroli was shown a second yellow card, which resulted in us playing with 10 men for the last 10-15 minutes.
“I never enjoy talking too much about the ref and we can all accept officials making mistakes at times and understand the position they are in, but the standards of the officials vary so much.
“In terms of the performance, the togetherness and effort was there for everyone to see.
“Will Stantiford the stand out player for us, scoring a hat- trick and running the midfield.”
Newbury Town go on the attack against Henley Town
The match began with the visitors forced to chase the game early on after conceding a goal from a corner.
Despite the slow start, Newbury gradually asserted themselves.
Stantiford drew the sides level with a well-taken goal, and by the time the whistle blew for the interval, Town looked the more likely to score the next goal.
The second half proved to be a chaotic affair.
Pagliaroli was sent to the sin bin for disputing the ‘ghost goal’ decision.
Goalkeeping duties
And his evening went from bad to worse when he was later shown a second yellow card.
Stantiford continued his dominant display, completing a brilliant hat-trick to keep the score line moving.
But, with the scores locked at 3-3, City snatched a last-gasp winner.