Mark Clattenburg slams EFL stance on VAR as ‘another mistake’ impacts Leyton Orient vs Stockport County

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The play-offs in League One got underway on Saturday via a 2-2 draw between Leyton Orient and Stockport County, with Mark Clattenburg reacting to the controversy in an EFL Analysis exclusive.

Charlie Kelman reacted to the incident after scoring a brace for his side in the first leg at home, but Phil Brown was less than impressed with the goal that was evidently offside to open the scoring.

Richie Wellens was in defiant mood ahead of the game but his side were handed a huge slice of luck when Omar Beckles flicked the ball into Kelman’s path in an offside position for Leyton Orient.

Dave Challinor’s men went into this contest as the favourites and the Stockport boss was handed an explanation by officials, but it could be a goal that proves to be costly. Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, Mark Clattenburg has provided his thoughts on the incident.

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Mark Clattenburg reacts to Kelman goal vs Stockport County

The referee was Benjamin Speedie and both he and his linesman somehow didn’t see that the on loan QPR striker was standing a few yards behind the defensive line, with many voicing their anger over their failure to make the correct decision and rule out the goal.

It could be argued that Kelman was in the right place at the right time to fire past Corey Addai in the box, but the VAR in the EFL conversation was brought into the limelight again, which Clattenburg hinted at when speaking to us.

The EFL Analysis refereeing expert said: “It’s amazing that, in such an important match for both teams’ chances of promotion, that we are talking about another mistake by the match officials.

“The appointment of the match officials is based on performance over the season. so should be the best. However, this is a big mistake from the assistant referee and also the referee.

“The referee must inform the assistant referee of the touch by his teammate which then makes Kelman who scores the goal to be in an offside position and the goal to be disallowed.

“I would prefer the referee go to the assistant referee and talk through the situation and hopefully come up with the right decision, as this decision has cost Stockport County dearly.”

The scoreline could have been vastly different, given the game state change impacting both teams’ gameplans at 1-0. It could yet cost Stockport still, even if there were other incidents of controversy surrounding other penalties given and not given during the game.

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The key stats in Leyton Orient 2-2 Stockport County

Both clubs played out a classic in terms of the goals but both will be desperate to get to Wembley and have a chance at glory, with numerous players capable of the extraordinary by scoring stunning play-off final goals to write their names into the history books.

The stats paint the picture of a wide open contest which could go either way when there is all to play for in the second leg at Edgeley Park.

The problem from the perspective of Stockport is that Kelman’s chance was a huge one worth 0.5xG alone, and the game could and perhaps would have played out vastly differently had it been 0-0 for longer.