Former EFL boss slams referee over ‘horrendous’ decision in Leyton Orient vs Stockport County thriller

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Leyton Orient and Stockport County clashed in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final on Saturday, and one controversial decision made the headlines.

Stockport County, whose rise up the EFL has been phenomenal, finished the campaign in third, while Leyton Orient occupied sixth position.

Dave Challinor’s men went into this contest as the favourites, however, Orient boss Richie Wellens sent a defiant message to his opponents, urging his team to do everything to win.

The Hatters flew out of the blocks at Brisbane Road and looked the most likely to open the deadlock, but unfortunately for them, it was League One Golden Boot winner Charlie Kelman who drew first blood.

Kelman was in the right place at the right time to fire past Corey Addai in the box, though the strike was surrounded by controversy, leaving many in disbelief.

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Phil Brown slams Benjamin Speedie for ‘horrendous’ decision in Leyton Orient vs Stockport County

Kelman’s goal should have been disallowed. The Queens Park Rangers loanee was miles offside in the box when he latched onto the end of Omar Beckles’ flick on.

Referee Benjamin Speedie and his linesman somehow didn’t see that the 23-year-old was standing ahead of County’s defensive line, with many voicing their anger over their failure to disallow the goal.

Former Hull City boss Phil Brown was on punditry duties for BBC Radio Manchester, and he couldn’t quite believe how the referee didn’t see it.

“I’ve been berating officials all my life and you want them to be better and get key decisions right but this one is horrendous,” Brown said.

“You could say that Stockport County could have been one up and Dave Challinor will have been delighted.

“He’s three yards offside. It can’t be an eyesight problem and I can’t find a reason. Only thing I can think of is a flick on but then the ref speaks to the linesman.

“There’s got to be a knock on the door at half-time. In these games am I advocating VAR? Yes I am because it’s a massive decision.”

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Leyton Orient were also on the wrong end of poor officiating

Stockport County eventually turned the game around through an Oliver Norwood penalty and a brilliant header from Fraser Horsfall, before a Kelman penalty saw the hosts equalise late on.

Although Orient eventually levelled a dramatic tie, they could have won the game if it wasn’t for another refereeing error.

Leyton Orient were denied a stonewall penalty when Kelman went down under the challenge of Norwood, with the referee refusing to give it.

Speaking on Sky Sports coverage, Lee Hendrie said it was a ‘stone wall’ penalty, suggesting that the hosts were also hard done by.

In the end, the two decisions cancelled each other out, as both sides were made to settle for sharing the spoils in a pulsating 2-2 draw.