Archive - Monday, 2 February 2004


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I'm no cheat!

SAMMY IGOE insists 'I'm no cheat' despite Steve McMahon's accusation that he conned referee Lee Mason into producing a red card during Town's 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

Seasiders' skipper Richie Wellens was dismissed midway through the game after picking up a second yellow card.

The referee deemed that Wellens had obstructed Igoe but McMahon and the Blackpool camp felt the Town man had over-reacted by clutching his face.

McMahon was furious and confronted the referee on the pitch.

After Wellens' departure for an early bath, Igoe was jeered for the rest of the match, vilified as he trooped off at full-time and verbally abused as he climbed back on to the team bus, with one audible cry of 'you little maggot'.

The Town midfielder insists he should not be painted as the villain of the piece.

He said: "I tried to go past Wellens and as his arm came out to block me, his head has caught me in the lip.

"It was a foul and he has already been booked."

Igoe had a wry smile on his face as he prepared for the long journey home and said: "These things happen in football but I don't think I'll be going back to Blackpool for my holiday in the summer."

Of McMahon, he said: "I seem to remember him being a fiery character.

"I scored two goals for Portsmouth against Swindon when he was the manager here and he seemed to be quite upset that day as well."

Manager Andy King said he could not understand why McMahon had got so hot under the collar about the dismissal.

He said: "Sammy Igoe's gone past him. He (Wellens) has got his arms all over him. That was a foul. Using your arm to obstruct someone could be a bookable offence.

"Some referees give it, some don't. This one felt it was a bookable offence.

"I've got no argument with the sending off. I don't know what their complaint is about."

Town's rearranged fourth round FA Youth Cup tie against Cardiff City takes place at the County Ground tomorrow night (7pm).

The winners will entertain Cambridge United in round five.