Pelicans coach criticizes officiating after win Saturday
Pensacola FC beat Sowegans 1-0, but coach Dean Logan said ‘inconsistent’ calls could endanger players; he said the club will share those concerns with league officials.
Pensacola FC coach Dean Logan said ‘inconsistent’ officiating in the Pelicans’ 1-0 win Saturday against Sowegans placed players in danger.
PFC stays poised in physical battle
Pensacola FC beat Sowegans SC 1-0 Saturday despite the Snappers’ physical — sometimes dangerous — attempts to disrupt the Pelicans’ attack.
“You could have seen the intent of the opposition on our players from the start of the game,” PFC coach Dean Logan said in a text answering questions from Southeast Soccer Report. “A two-footed tackle on Eduardo Pampolini which could have resulted in a serious injury, and the referees did not even call a foul or issue a red card. In any high-level football match that is an automatic red card.”
“…referees ‘must be held accountable for poor officiating.’”
— PFC coach Dean Logan
Logan said the Pelicans’ staff reviewed video from the game that only strengthened concerns about players’ safety. He said Pensacola FC will communicate their concerns and provide the game’s video to The League for Clubs officials for review, adding that referees “must be held accountable for poor officiating.”
Sowegans see red
The referee eventually did issue two red cards, ejecting Sowegans players late in the match for separate incidents: a flagrant elbow to the face and stomping on a downed player’s back.
Logan said better coordination by the officiating crew might have prevented some incidents.
“…we felt that our players were being endangered.”
— PFC coach Dean Logan
“There was no communication with the officials, who looked like they were all doing their own thing,” he said. “That put our players in a lot of moments where serious injuries could have occurred. It was blatant, and we felt that our players were being endangered.”
What about the match?
Michael Lightbourne capitalized on a well-executed play in the 77th minute to score the game’s only goal.
“That was a quality finish from our veteran captain,” Logan said. “This goal was something we worked on during practice, and it was really good to see the execution that resulted in the game winner.”
Speedy Kendrick Hernandez dribbled up the right side and passed to Sy Fontenot at the front post; Fontenot back-heeled a pass to Lightbourne running into the penalty box, and the fifth-year midfielder booted the ball into the net.
“We had a really good spell of possession in Sowegans’ half,” Logan said. “We were really patient in that attacking phase….It was a composed finish from the most experienced player on the field.”
Pelicans dominance continues
The Pelicans dominated possession and created numerous quality chances, while Sowegans rarely threatened Pensacola’s goal. It was the second straight match in which PFC struggled to score despite clear superiority on the pitch.
“I won’t say that the players became frustrated. I think they were determined,” Logan said. “They knew how important three points were, and did everything to ensure that (the team won the match).
“Sometimes that means taking risks, which is OK once we are able to react and prevent any threats from the opposition,” he continued. “For us it’s (important) just to continue to be patient, and we will create that opportunity. We just have to execute it.”
Logan emphasized that Sowegans never really threatened the Pelicans.
“We created so many goalscoring chances, so we just have to put them away,” he said, adding that Sowegans’ goalkeeper Marco Galardini made “some remarkable saves that kept the game interesting.”
Pereira earns Man of the Match
Center midfielder Marcus Pereira, a graduate student at the University of West Florida, is playing in his second season for Pensacola FC. He earned Man of the Match honors in the Pelicans’ 1-0 win Saturday against Sowegans SC. CREDIT: Pensacola FCCenter midfielder Marcus Pereira was the Pensacola’s Man of the Match.
Central midfielder Marcus Pereira earned Pensacola’s Man of the Match award.
“He had another fantastic game,” Logan said. “His ability to make the players around him excel is just fun to watch. He works so hard on both ends of the pitch, which gives us that extra edge during games.”
Pereira left the match in the 85th minute because of cramps. Earlier in the match, the referee made him leave the pitch to get medical treatment.
“He had a huge scratch on his neck from an opponent grabbing him while he was in possession,” Logan said. “The officials did nothing, but sent him off the field to wrap the scratch. Unbelievable.”
Logan said Eduardo Pampolini, Aaron Boateng and Hernandez were “very effective.”
“To be honest, credit goes out to all the guys, even the subs,” he added. “They maintained professionalism throughout the full 99 minutes played.”
Some Pelicans suffered minor cuts and bruises, according to Logan, but there were no serious injuries.
Finally, Logan said he wants officiating to improve.
“We are a team (that is) playing high-level, exciting football that the fans can enjoy,” he said. “All we are hoping for is that the level of the officiating be better. We always want to give a top level experience to the fans, and visiting teams, as that will make the league grow. Hopefully these things are taken seriously.”
Pensacola clings to conference lead
Pensacola, Tallahassee and Jackson, Miss., side Gaffa FC remain tied for the most points earned so far this inaugural TLfC Gulf Coast Conference season with 12. The Battle Lions (4-0-0) from Florida’s capitol stayed unbeaten with a 4-1 home win against AFC Mobile, but the Pelicans (4-1-0) have a goal differential of +15, one better than their Panhandle rivals.