While not blaming the ref for an abject performance (we didn't deserve anything), it is damning to have to say the ref 'was influential in the outcome of the game". A more experienced and, dare I say it, mature refs stick out like a sore thumb these days because they try to do the COMPLETE OPPOSITE and let the game flow. Honestman would love to be able to get his
hands on the assessor's report from Saturday (in fact I'd pay good money to see it!) because if it doesn't at least question his performance and decision making then we may as well pack it all in now.
I'll be watching out for the name "Crawford Allan" in future - I hope I never see it again. Yes, he was that bad - right up there with the Cassidys, Toners and Hardies, all
of whom would have been an improvement on him. The anger from the Ayr fans at the end was entirely predictable and you'd like to think it would have given him pause for thought and reflection. Somehow I doubt it.
Logan's first booking was a joke. The ref made mistake after mistake, (both for and against Ayr it has to be said). He even appeared to book McKinstry for shouting at his own keeper. He looked as if he suffered from "wee man syndrome" and reminded me of that other wee excuse for a referee Brian Cassidy when he sent off a our players at Dumbarton a few years ago.
Honestman believes it is now time that the authorities should have some kind of height restriction on referees because every time you see a wee one they walk about the park like Hitler and completely ruin the game.
All Ayr fans know that the defence is apalling and the midfield are far too attack minded but we did create four good chances before the double sending off. At half time our only chance was that their number 8 would get booked again and let us back into the game. It was inevitable the way he was playing the ref would have had to give him another booking.
Unfortunately the Dumbarton manager knew that and didn't send him out for the second half.
Even before the double red cards, we were truly abysmal, however. The defence was a complete shambles - Dumbarton were unlucky not to score a second earlier in the game when they had a shot come off the crossbar - and United were unable to string two passes together. It was all long balls in the air.
All in all it was a rather dismal day to quote pop 'Bread' from golden era of pop music.
Honestman.